Areas of the Greenbelt as…

Areas of the Greenbelt as identified in the proposed mapping should not be removed in any present or future amendments. These areas support vital north-south wildlife corridors within the GTA, and core habitat for a number of Species at Risk (such as Monarch, myotis bat species, Butternut, Eastern Wood-Pewee etc.) that have increasing become irreversibly fragmented and damaged.

I strongly urge the MMAH to consider the cumulative effects that increased urban development has had on our natural systems, effects which the Greenbelt was meant to mitigate and reduce. The increased hardening of ground surfaces through paved and concrete construction has resulted in the warming of a number of cool/cold water watercourses in the GTA, which negatively affects sensitive aquatic species such as Redside Dace (Endangered in Ontario). Increased salinity and sediment in our vital water systems (which are also our sources of drinking water) is also a known impact of increased development and sprawl.

By removing what can seem to be inconsequential fringe elements of the Greenbelt system, the MMAH would be further weakening an already fragile natural heritage system. There is no doubt that increased housing needs to be made available to Ontario's growing population, however the epidemic of single-detached housing and suburban sprawl not only weakens connections within the natural heritage system, but also weakens the communities being built. Suburban sprawl does not support effective or safe alternatives to car transportation, such as biking or walking, and does not support efficient transit options. The goal for future housing should be planned with medium to high density developments, re-zoning of low-density residential areas, and effective transit in mind, the current system of block plans and Municipal Environmental Servicing Plans do not take into adequate consideration the reduction of sprawl.

We simply cannot have more of the same suburban sprawl and the amendments to the limits of the Greenbelt will not work to solve the housing crisis. Developable land should not be considered limitless in Ontario, proper stewardship of our natural heritage system of which to the developer may look like unrealized potential, will be crucial to support the environmental services (such as flood mitigation, reduction of urban heat domes) these systems actively provide us.