These are my thoughts on…

These are my thoughts on this proposal. Ontario's Greenbelt must be maintained as a permanent land mass, to be preserved in its entirety, in perpetuity. The Greenbelt is a natural asset, so critical to the health of southern Ontario - not just for the people who live in the region, who depend on good water quality of our urban rivers, and of the rich land for food growing and for recreation, but also for the many species of wildlife who inhabit this area. What we do to nature, we do to ourselves!
I urge you to repeal Bill 23 immediately.
I do not believe this land needs to be sacrificed for housing. Many smart people have demonstrated that we'd be much better off enabling more density where housing is already existing (respecting current urban boundaries). Build up, not out. Given all the factors, such as the influx of immigrants, and the need to combat the effects of the climate crisis, single family housing is not the best choice. It's the least efficient and most carbon-intensive choice. It is imperative that, as a society, we focus on supportive housing for those who could never afford single family dwellings; housing co-operatives; rental accommodations and 6-8 storey buildings along main streets where there is reliable transit and other transportation options (cycling, walking, roadways already built). In addition, it has been scientifically proven that green space is critical to human health and well being.
The designation of Greenbelt lands is defined around ecological systems - water courses, wetlands, unique geographical features and agricultural land. Keeping those in place forever will ensure cleaner water, habitat for a myriad of creatures, including a number of species at risk and a source of local food production. For too long, prime agricultural land has been disappearing in Ontario. As global food supply issues and climate change continue to affect Ontario residents and their pocketbooks, it is absolutely essential that we grow as much food locally to the population as possible. This is just smart economic policy, smart agricultural policy and smart environmental policy - all woven together. Good government makes decisions for the benefit of all of us in the province, not just a select few very wealthy elites who are so obviously making a cash grab for the 15 parcels of land the government is intending to remove from the Greenbelt. This must stop. Rescind Bill 23.