I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my concern over Bill 23 and its ramifications for ecosystems, climate change, urban sprawl, and affordable housing. In the province's attempt to stimulate economic growth in Ontario, I believe that the government 1) has lost sight of the invaluable economic benefits and ecosystem services that the green belt provides, 2) is catering to the rich who want their own piece of paradise within reach of metropolitan Toronto, and 3) is pretending that this will somehow help the housing crisis in Ontario when in fact it will make it worse.

Natural systems store water that maintain wells for drinking water for millions of people in the outer GTA. By preventing runoff, greenspaces reduce flood risk during exceptional precipitation events, which have become alarmingly more common. They maintain habitat for a myriad of species that not only have an intrinsic right to life, but are vital to the integrity of the wider ecosystem health of the province.

The suggestion that this is only a small piece of the greenbelt ignores the fact that the greenbelt itself is only a small remnant of green within an explosion of development. Further fragmentation of the limited natural and agricultural greenspace we have left in southern Ontario is akin to eating all the cookies on the plate but one, and then suggesting that taking a small bite out of the last cookie is no big deal. Fragmentation decreases species diversity overall, and limits the distribution of the gene pool, leaving each isolated population at risk of a single event annihilation.

To be frank, no one believes that this legislation has limits. This bill will open the doors to wide spread development that will ensure the end of the greenbelt as we know it. What are we to tell the next generation that have nowhere to go to escape the oppression of endless suburbia? Premier Ford said he would not develop the greenbelt, and yet here we are. How can we trust him with its stewardship? Give that stewardship back to the Conservation Authorities. They are our allies, not our enemies.

At a time when everyone around the world, including the Ontario government, is talking about measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, this government is proposing that we develop an area that not only helps in that mitigation by absorbing carbon, but acts as a natural air conditioner surrounding the city of Toronto. Do not underestimate the eco-services that the greenbelt provides. When it’s gone, you cannot get it back…ever.

The government has claimed that houses in the greenbelt will help with the housing crisis. Bollix! These are houses for upper and middle class. The money spent there is money not spent on the real crisis, close to where working people work, and where low income workers are now homeless. Urban sprawl, which requires more cars on more roads, is not only ineffective against the housing crisis, but adds to the provinces carbon footprint. Concentrate housing within the areas that are already developed, and stop pretending that there is endless space for growth. The Earth is telling us that it is time to change the way we think about our relationship with the planet. Will this government be part of the solution, or another nail in our collective coffin? Stop Bill 23.