As currently written, this…

As currently written, this amendment would be a disaster for Ontario and for the future of our children. As the climate crisis worsens, wetlands are essential to stave off expensive floods, and farmland is increasingly valuable - yet this amendment would decimate both.
We badly need to build more homes quickly - but they need to be built where existing infrastructure exists, increasing density and protecting against sprawl. This amendment would instead commit Ontario to decades more low-density sprawl, which is ultimately less affordable, more ecologically damaging, and less economically viable.
It is difficult to understand, and deeply concerning, that this proposal seems to avoid useful measures while instead prioritizing short-term pillaging of essential protected lands. Frankly, the legislation as written is irredeemable, and I urge the committee to do all it can to scrap it and start over. We need to do better for our communities, and this is not the way. Please think of the long term implications this will have. Listen to the scientists, listen to the people.