I object to the imposition…

I object to the imposition of Bill 23 that will undermine long term sustainability objectives of land use planning, environmental protections and cultural heritage recognition through one omnibus bill directed at one issue, provision of new housing. This Bill would take us back to permissive planning for all types of residential development in urban and rural parts of Ontario from the 1990s. We need to be diligent at constructing climate change resilient housing that may be slightly more expensive in the near term but will pay large dividends of energy conservation into the future.

The co-ordinated planning that is necessary to build sustainable/resilient communities must be retained in the form of regional planning organizations as well as watershed management/natural heritage system planning by Conservation Authorities. The government should concentrate on addressing the needs of the homeless and not providing for an endless supply of new housing, i.e., bigger sprawl in rural areas and bigger tall in urban areas is not better in terms of the provision of affordable housing in a rapidly growing and desirable place to live.

I agree with the 'Big Tent - November 21st Statement on Bill 23 and the Removal of Greenbelt Land' - see attachment for details