As a parent deeply concerned…

As a parent deeply concerned about the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss, as well as social inequity, I urge you not to accept the proposed changes to the Greenbelt plan. The Greenbelt comprises important forest, wetland and farmland areas -- which help provide protection in the event of extreme weather events, important habitat, and nature-based solutions to climate change by naturally sequestering carbon. Moreover, making changes to the Greenbelt plan represents an erosion of our democracy and of good faith. As COP15, the Biodiversity Conference begins in Canada this week, we are aware of the importance of protecting lands and waters, and Canada will likely be committing to protect 30 per cent of lands and waters by 2030. Unfortunately, Ontario is the province that has been lagging behind in these protections, and it is utterly frightening to see lands that were once protected no longer so. What is the point of implementing protections if they can be rolled back on a whim?