The past 3 years of pandemic…

The past 3 years of pandemic life has dramatically made it obvious how much Ontarians need green spaces. During the pandemic people sought out green spaces to relieve the mental stress of living in urban areas. Now your government has decided to reduce those green spaces and increase urban sprawl. Ontario needs housing that doesn't remove existing protected green spaces. Southern Ontario has lost over 85% of its wetlands (according to Ducks Unlimited) and good agricultural land is rapidly being replaced by development (Ontario Farmlands Trust). Regional planning must take into consideration the connectivity of natural areas and not treat each natural area as an isolated patch. Removing parts of the protected Greenbelt will fragment the landscape and create barriers that prevent the movement of wildlife between natural habitats which is important for genetic biodiversity. Governments around the world have recognized the need to maintain and increase connectivity between natural areas (Environment Canada and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry). Agricultural lands and natural areas contribute to carbon capture which is important in reducing the impact of greenhouse gases and slows climate change. I recognize that affordable housing is a problem but this plan to develop Greenbelt land will only benefit for-profit developers and increase the cost to municipal taxpayers without improving the supply of affordable housing!