I live in Dundas, and you…

I live in Dundas, and you may post my comments. I am addressing specifically concerns about the Hamilton area, but the entire proposal generally as well. The proposed changes do not directly address the key problem with housing right now, which is affordability. There is no clear evidence that the land swap proposed will address housing prices or if there is in fact an inventory problem that will be alleviated by the proposal. In fact, being adjacent to (and formerly inside) the green belt, almost assures that the housing in the proposed development areas will be unaffordable due the much sought after nearby greenspace creating demand and a higher end market.

The lands in question (for the Greenbelt swap) should require expert and detailed review of the consequences and impacts and even suitability for affordable development; there is no evidence this happened, and there was no public engagement on the parcel choices. In fact it appears much of the area near the Hamiltion Airport may in fact not be possible to develop due to federal aviation laws and proximity to the runway and it's alignment.

Farm land is critical for our future and is disappearing at an alarming rate in Ontario (nearly 400 acres per day!). We need to focus on urban densification, not paving over existing or possibly arable land, you can't get that back. Food security is forecast to be of increasing concern due to climate change (which might drive crop failures, reduced yields, and new plant and animal diseases.) We need every hectare we can keep.

Eroding Conservation Area powers when they are most needed is alarming and short sighted. We must use local expert knowledge to guide sustainable development that considers flood mitigation and impacts to flora and fauna. We are also in the midst of huge decline in numbers of viable local species; we have to maintain corridors and critical habitat. This is complicated and detailed and important, and cannot be circumvented for political short term policy changes. Hamilton already has a detailed plan for urban growth to 2051 within the existing urban area, let's use it. The land swap is not a like for like exchange of similar quality or importance. The Paris-Galt Moraine was already recommended for inclusion in the Green Belt. It should be added without any removal of existing green belt land. This is meant to be permanently protected, as a last fragment of what was once a huge Carolinian forest containing important wetlands and wildlife and waterways.

The financial implication of reducing development fees is going to increase the municipal tax burden and further enrich already successful developers. Municipal governments are already struggling to meet existing needs and development, and residents are being stressed by inflation and higher interest rates. We cannot add to that burden with increased municipal taxes.

I am deeply concerned by this proposal, strongly oppose it, and hope that it will not be approved.