I believe the idea behind…

I believe the idea behind the Greenbelt Plan was to save some of Southern Ontario from development in the interest of the people. If the argument for your proposed amendment to the Plan is that Ontario needs more affordable housing, affordable housing is not what will be constructed on the land that is traded to the developers. This is all too obvious by the mega mansions that we see being built in most areas adjoining the Greenbelt.

The Ontario government needs to commit to adding more land to the Paris Galt Moraine, but not at the expense of the Greenbelt. The government should be trying to save even more lands outside the Greenbelt and giving them conservation status.

There is limited arable land in Southern Ontario. It should not be converted to housing and other development. Ontario should be growing as many of its own crops as possible.

It has been proven, no more so than during the Covid pandemic, that there are important physical and mental health benefits to people in having access to green spaces. Developing the GTA's few remaining green spaces will have a negative effect on everyone living in the area.

We continually see in the news the devastation to human populations because of climate change and homes having been built on lands that are subject to natural disasters. The government has recognized this with the addition of the Urban River Valleys to the Greenbelt Plan and must continue to be vigilant of this in the future. You won't save any tax payers' dollars if you have to pay millions in disaster relief.

There seems to be an abundance of derelict properties around the Toronto area, e.g. factories that have shut down, closed motel properties, dilapidated business parks and other abandoned buildings. Perhaps these could be purchased with our tax dollars to convert to affordable housing in already established urban boundaries. This would also enhance the look and safety of these neighbourhoods.