We strongly oppose the…

We strongly oppose the proposed rezoning of land currently designated Greenbelt, a designation that restricts development of lands reserved for recreational, agricultural, ecological and hydrological purposes. The ecological and environmental arguments are obvious. But this proposal should it move forward would have an even greater negative impact.

The proposal will diminish opportunities to build businesses and housing on already-zoned land in outlying areas north of the Greenbelt. This has a reverberating impact by creating more need for roads and cars in a commuter society. In the end it guts small communities and hampers the growth of new business and small business in those communities.

If more housing is needed it should be by way of increased density on existing zoned residential land.

This is the leadership the Ontario Government should show.

Planning committees and members of communities throughout the province have spent huge amount of dollars and time to develop plans that use land in a responsible way. With this proposal the Ontario Government is pulling the rug out from under our feet and undermining past and future planning and consultation.

A classic developer tactic is to neglect a property, allow buildings to deteriorate or properties to be used as dumping grounds. Neglected property become an eyesore and/or a public danger. The owner argues that the only option is to redevelop according to their speculated plan.

A relevant example of this tactic was noted in an article in The Narwhal of November 17, 2022, though it didn’t explain it fully. ( https://thenarwhal.ca/ford-ontario-greenbelt-cuts-developers/ )

Jeff Paikin, developer and brother of senior Ontario Government employee Steve Paikin, indicates he bought Greenbelt land in 2019 on speculation. The article quotes Jeff Paikin, who claims that the land should not have been included in the Greenbelt in the first place. His reasoning was that it is not being used for farmland and hadn't for decades. Contrary to Mr. Paikin's desires to build on this land it should revert to farmland. If not farmland, it should be converted to a wildlife sanctuary or parkland that contributes to ecological systems and quality of life for all. Mr. Paikin's approach is a classic developer tactic. This tactic must end. Mr. Paikin gambled. He should lose.

The current provincial government should be concerned about optics. It came into power in 2018. With this timing and the Paikin connection, this situation does not pass the smell test.

Rezoning Greenbelt land in the proposed manner will just give developers licence to encroach further on protected land. It's a terrible precedent. The lands in question have been cherry picked by developers. No doubt phase two is to square the circle by requesting re-classification of adjacent lands. I believe it’s likely that those purchases have already been made.

The Greenbelt is to Ontario what High Park it to Toronto. High Park was donated by John George Howard, one of Toronto’s earliest land developers. When land was donated to create High Park, it was argued that such use was not practical as parkland. Mr. Howard prevailed and Toronto benefitted from this ecological, recreational and environmental gem. Would Toronto voters allow developers into High Park? Unlikley! The same should be held for the Greenbelt.

In that context, if landowners and developers have land that they feel would be suitable to be added to the Greenbelt, they should follow Mr. Howard's example and donate it. But it should not be exchanged for existing Greenbelt land.

While much has been achieved under the current government in trying times, I believe this plan is contrary to what is its vision for the province.

Please do not diminish the Greenbelt. The Act does not permit the total size to decrease. It is silent on increasing it. We should be increasing it instead.