To Whom It May Concern: I am…

To Whom It May Concern:

I am deeply concerned, and opposed to the removal of lands from the current Greenbelt across the GTA. These lands, some tucked away within existing urban areas, are critical to good mental health in this largest of Canadian metropolitan areas. As you are no doubt deeply aware, access to nature has been key to the ability of people to cope with all that has accompanied the current pandemic. It provides a salve that helps to heal many a mental health issue. Moving the protected land out (to Paris) is not the answer although adding that land too does make sense as housing moves out that direction in the province.

Most importantly, aside from this ability to consult (thank-you), there has been no attempt to consult with the indigenous people of Ontario, something that is a requirement of the law in Ontario.

There is much opposition to this land-grab, including from farmers who use this land to feed us. I will note, as I hope you have, that this is a block of Ontario residents who typically agree with your policies. The opposition from farmers is extremely important as is the conserving of agricultural lands, and this conservation will become more important as we are less able to rely on imported food due to extreme weather events that threaten agricultural crops in traditional areas like California. There is also the suggestion that the developers were illegally informed and were able to purchase this land knowing that they would eventually be able to build on it. I do not know if this is true, but if it is, it smacks of corruption.

Many of these natural surfaces in the current Greenbelt provide resilience to flooding events. These flooding events have become much more frequent in the last decade. Impermeable surfaces, like those in dense housing developments will surely increase flooding.

Finally, many have said this, but expert land-use planners have indicated that there is plenty of land inside the greenbelt that can be used to meet our housing needs. And to do this effectively is not to promote suburban sprawl, where car culture is perpetuated, but to build along the current transportation corridors and in-fill in existing urban centres. Smart planning which reduces reliance on the car makes for much more livable cities and happier people. See the examples of Paris and Montreal, two cities who have greatly reduced cars in the core of the city and the amount of real estate devoted to roads and cars. As a result the mayorshave built more livable communities, provided more bike lanes, and hence, surprisingly to those who think car traffic promotes business, increased spending in urban core areas. This is where people want to live and this is where new homes should be provided.

Thanks for considering my comments.