I find the proposed…

ERO number

013-4504

Comment ID

22588

Commenting on behalf of

Individual

Comment status

Comment approved More about comment statuses

Comment

I find the proposed amendments to sections 1.1 (“Low-density urban sprawl” to “unmanaged growth”) and 1.2 (“Clean and healthy environment” to “an approach that puts people first.”) concerning due to their ambiguity.
Both of these changes create unspecific rules, which are very easy to be manipulated into ways that are beneficial to developers and those who stand to profit from development. Instead of the original intent of the document, which is to prevent urban sprawl and to protect the environment, amending section 1.1 only places emphasis on unmanaged growth. With this, unmanaged growth can be interpreted differently, which leaves the door wide open to developers who are interested in taking advantage of this policy.
Protection of the environment needs to be a priority in our province. We, the citizens of Ontario, depend on our environment for many reasons, such as to provide clean air, water, natural space of us to enjoy, and sustenance through the many Greenbelt farms. Not only do the people of this province require the protection of the Greenbelt and the environment, but these protected spaces are both an example to the rest of the world, and an important step forward in preserving our world for future generations.
Investing in protecting the Greenbelt is a large part of putting the people of Ontario first, before corporations and developers. The suggested amendment of putting people first is a statement that could be used to apply to any range of situations, which may, but quite likely may not, benefit the people of Ontario. The ways this clause could be applied are many, and a number of these ways conflict with both the original purpose of the plan and the interest of Ontarians.
The people, the environment, and the province of Ontario should be the priority of the government, not developers and the money that stands to be made at the expense of the province and the people. If the plan must be amended, which is in and of itself unnecessary, then these two phrases should be removed from it, in the interests of the citizens of this province and the future of Canada.