Hello. I am a Toronto…

Hello. I am a Toronto resident who opposes the proposed amendments to the Greenbelt Area. While I understand that the government intends to add lands to the Greenbelt Area if the amendments pass, I reject this kind of simple replacement solution as irresponsible and narrow-minded.

First, urban and suburban sprawl means ecological destruction. Our local animal and insect populations lose habitats and green corridors for migration. Deep soil that would absorb rain or nurture farmland is removed, thereby increasing the risk of flooding and polluted runoff.

Second, removing land from the Greenbelt means that communities lose local connections to nature. They also won't necessarily benefit from the addition of lands to the Greenbelt kilometres away from home. This particular harm may seem slight, but I believe that having protected natural space nearby (a walk, bike, or short car ride away) is vital for health, mental health, and the broader goal of land stewardship, which is everyone's responsibility under both the treaties and the wampum belt covenants that have governed Indigenous and settler relations for hundreds of years. I myself am not Indigenous, however I consider it part of this responsibility to speak out against such changes as the proposed amendments to the Greenbelt Area.

Third, I do not believe that removing important ecological areas from provincial protection is the correct way to go about housing development in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region. The Report of the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force (link #1) states that "a shortage of land isn’t the cause of the problem. Land is available, both inside the existing built-up areas and on undeveloped land outside greenbelts." Changes to zoning (e.g. allowing for development of low-rise apartments in single-home residential areas in Toronto), further restricting short-term rentals, and penalties/restrictions on vacant investment units--solutions such as these could all contribute to development of new housing stock and opening up existing stock that is currently being held, empty of residents, by investors. I question why the provincial government would attempt to remove land from Greenbelt Area protection, given the statements and recommendations from the Task Force, as well as the existence of other solutions that are less ecologically damaging.

Fourth, in light of the recent investigation by the Toronto Star and The Narwhal (link #2), I am deeply suspicious of the timing of these proposed amendments to the Greenbelt Area. The financial connections of several developers to the Progressive Conservative party throw an ugly light on the amendments, one that suggests the government is more concerned about profits than building homes in an ecologically-responsible and community-minded way. Furthermore, any kind of development may also increase pressure on municipalities to give up more of their green space.

In summary, I strongly urge the government to withdraw these proposed amendments, and work with municipalities to take advantage of alternative routes to housing development. Thank you for your time.