re Bill 23 All too…

re Bill 23

All too often we ignore the fact that policy decisions in various ministries have health consequences. Transportation, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, Municipal Affairs and Health are linked. We need to connect the dots and talk to one another. We are extremely concerned about the health consequences of Bill 23.

URBAN SPRAWL

Judicious land use planning is increasingly essential to public health, economy, housing affordability, equity, food security, and the escalating climate crisis. The window to implement fundamentally necessary and effective climate action to control greenhouse gas emissions (GHG's) that drive the climate crisis is quickly closing. To accommodate population growth we need to optimize densification while avoiding sprawl. This is critical to mitigating adverse environmental impacts while producing many significant health and economic co-benefits.

Urban sprawl is associated with unhealthy car-dependent lifestyles and negative health impacts. Physicians are seeing ever increasing numbers of patients suffering from OBESITY, DIABETES, HEART AND LUNG DISEASE, POORER MENTAL HEALTH as well as INJURIES AND PREMATURE DEATHS RESULTING FROM MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recognizes the link between urban sprawl and health. Increased vehicle use also creates more AIR POLLUTION which in itself was estimated to prematurely KILL 6600 ONTARIANS annually and cost the provincial economy $49.2 billion dollars in 2016, Increased GHG's generated by increased vehicular transportation directly exacerbate the climate crisis which is considered the single greatest threat to human health as well as to the economy.

FOOD SECURITY

The IPCC has stated that we must do everything possible to avert the climate crisis. Greenspaces, wetlands and well-managed farmlands sequester carbon thereby acting as natural sinks. This is a key component of counteracting GHG emissions. Wetlands themselves sequester methane, a GHG that is much more potent than CO2. Loss of farmland threatens food security. In Ontario we are losing 175 acres of farmland daily. We are dependent on the USA for food and the mid west and California are experiencing severe longlasting droughts. The Covid pandemic has demonstrated very clearly that Canada must not be dependent on other countries to supply its basic needs.

SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The climate crisis is a health crisis--HEAT ILLNESSES AND FATALITIES, spreading of insect borne infections like LYME DISEASE and WEST NILE VIRUS, WILDFIRES, DROUGHTS, FLOODING, FOOD INSECURITY with DEVASASTATING EFFECTS ON FAMILIES.

HOUSING

Investing in human health and equity is achieved by promoting vibrant more self-contained communities in keeping with the vision expressed by the majority of Peel residents themselves when polled. Densification need not consist of highrise towers and concrete. Intensification can be achieved with well-designed mid and low rise multifamily/multi-unit, semi-detached and smaller single family homes promoting walkable, cyclable communities with ample zero-emissions public transit supporting common green infrastructure, easily accessible amenities, small independent businesses and enhanced human social interactions. In the current context of housing affordability and equity becoming an increasing struggle for so many Ontarians, densification is also superior to sprawl and boundary expansion by creating larger numbers of more affordable housing options serving more Ontarians equitably.

By way of example, in June 2019 the city of Mississauga, Peel's largest city and major taxation base, officially declared a climate emergency. An in-depth extensively scoped city performance review was conducted to establish the city's first Climate Action Plan. The review showed that carbon emissions driving the climate crisis stem predominantly from 2 sectors: buildings followed by transportation. More than half of emissions from buildings arose from residential buildings. To reduce these emissions we need future energy efficient structures and deep retrofits for existing ones. We need increased cycling, walking and public transit use, and electric vehicles with a decarbonized energy grid. The city review determined this would also improve air quality and community health while generating an estimated 295,000 full time jobs by 2035 in Mississauga alone (REF: Siemens CyPT)

We bear responsibility to our children and grandchildren to assure them that they will live in a country that ensures their enjoyment and optimizes their health. Bill 23 does not do this. We owe it to them to withdraw Bill 23.

Respectfully,