Bill 23 is an outrageous…

Bill 23 is an outrageous Bill, that threatens our democracy. Essentially, it gags our Conservation Authorities and takes away the peoples voice for appeals. How can this possibly be allowed to happen? This government was elected to protect the people of Ontario with the promise to not touch the Greenbelt. So much, for campaign promises. Now, we are told that the builders and developers will be expected to look after infrastructure in the proposed new communities. Who will hold them accountable? Developers will not have to pay development fees, removing, Millions, if not Billions of dollars from local governments. The Bill has nothing to do with Building More Homes, Faster. Affordable housing is not what will be built on Greenbelt land. This land will require people to live further from work requiring people to use more gas and depend on more infrastructures. This is obviously a recipe for disastrous effects in the future, but then why would this government care. They don't care about climate change; they don't care about our natural heritage; they don't care about the future impact this will have on our communities, and they don't care about anything that has been done for the last 3-4 decades. What do they care about? I believe that they care about the money that is to be made by the select few and how it personally impacts themselves.

According to many urban planners and some MPP's there is more than enough buildable land without touching the Greenbelt. It has been stated that 8 600 acres of land is already under builders control without a push and a deadline to see this land developed. To sell off 7 400 acres of Greenbelt land seems unnecessary and to silence the people that oppose this sell off is a slap in the face to our fore fathers and the people that have fought so hard to put environmental protection laws. Since the disaster of Hurricane Hazel, Conservation Authorities have worked very hard to control flood plains and put safe reliable practices in place to protect the people of Ontario and our environment. The sale of the Greenbelt is one thing--a money grab, but not for the people of Ontario who you were elected to protect.

Bill 23 gives municipalities a 1/3 minority to pass legislation. This is a far cry from the majority. It is unthinkable that the minority should have the right to pass legislation at the municipal level. However, if legislation is passed by the majority of municipal officials, against a proposal, it doesn't matter. The builder can appeal this decision and have the ruling overturned, without the public having the right to appeal. This is totally undemocratic, in a society where we cherish our democratic values.

This government was elected on the campaign promise not to touch the Greenbelt. I implore you to uphold your promise and divert the potential catastrophic results for our natural world, for our flood protection, and for the clean air that we breathe. Our children, their children and generations to follow rely on your prudent and responsible government. UPHOLD YOUR PROMISE!