The Government of Ontario…

The Government of Ontario was aware that dismantling the Greenbelt would be unpopular, Doug Ford made a point of promising not to touch the protected land because he knew what his constituents would disagree. The government is knowingly placing the interests of a few development companies over a) they’re voters and b) the environment.
The greenbelt isn’t just there so we feel good about protecting wildlife; having large green space is critical to our well being. The greenbelt sequesters carbon (emissions of which will surely increase if urban sprawl is our solution to a housing crisis), it is where we grow food, escape for recreation, wetlands and forests filter excess nutrients from runoff water to the benefit of lakes, rivers and groundwater.
Using the housing crisis as an excuse to disregard environmental priorities in favour of economic growth sets a dangerous president going forward. Ontario needs to build up not out. The people are desperate for housing but will not accept that as justification for dismantling environmental protections. This isn’t the only way to house ontarions it is just a convenient excuse to enrich those who already gain from the housing shortage.