The proposed change is not…

The proposed change is not acceptable to the people of Ontario.

As it stands, the Greenbelt Act states “The plans provide permanent protection to the agricultural land base and the ecological and hydrological features, areas and functions within the Greater Golden Horseshoe and beyond.”

Permanent protection is permanent. It does not mean protection for 17 years. It does not mean protection, except when we say so. It does not mean protection of other land that we’ve swapped in.

The reason this greenbelt exists is to protect southern Ontario from flooding, provide quality air to breathe, and allow plant and animal life to continue as it has for centuries.

There is plenty of land outside the greenbelt that is available for development of new housing. We do not stand to benefit from an increase in large suburban homes in this province. If the government is serious about solving the housing crisis, they have a wealth of options at their disposal.

As a concerned taxpayer, I would urge decision-makers to consider the impact of selling out the future of generations for the short term gain of a housing market that could easily turn out to be a bubble.