On October 8th, 2021, the…

On October 8th, 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed the landmark Resolution 48/13 :, stating “The Council recognizes the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment and encourages states to adopt policies for the enjoyment of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment” . In response, the Government of Canada has proposed the Federal Bill S-5, Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act. I urge the Government of Ontario to support and endorse the tenets of Bill S-5.

As of 2020, 84% of Ontarians consider the greenbelt a source of pride and 86% of Ontarians agree that it is one of the most important contributions of our generation to the future of Ontario. In addition, the Ontario government DID NOT CONSULT WITH INDIGENOUS STAKEHOLDERS. The federal government has stated that they will not compensate the provinces for housing built on floodplains, and while Ford has says this won't happen, the cuts the Ontario government has made to environment protections, research, and stewardship means they don't have accurate and updated data to see where the floodplains actually are!

Bill 23 will not solve the housing crisis, in addition, taxes of the municipalities affected will skyrocket. The only people who will benefit from this short-sighted bill are the wealthy developers. This is not the answer to the housing crisis, to the climate crisis, and will only make matters worse for future generations of Ontarians.