Regarding Land Use Planning,…

Regarding Land Use Planning,

While we all understand the current need for housing, not enough is being done to preserve our agricultural and environmental heritage.

Although it is heartening to see there is mention in the plan of protection of sensitive lands, however, definition and political will for implementation seem to be lacking as municipalities (such as Hamilton and Milton) are forced to include prime agricultural land for developers. The new policies force cookie cutter pro-sprawl policies on municipalities -witness what has happened in Hamilton and Milton, for example.

More than 75% of our food comes from below the border. As you may remember during the Covid crisis, even though we had contracts and even paid for vaccines, the U.S. government decided to stop shipments to Canada. In a food or political crisis, they could do the same with food. If we lose our farm land, we lose our ability to feed ourselves. Making us very vulnerable.

In an era of an increasing climate crisis, it is extremely short sighted to promote further urban expansion. Effects of these decisions will be felt very long term. We should be leaders in the field of preventing climate change, not causing further environmental erosion.

As well, in a time of growing world hunger it is unconscionable to be paving over food producing farm land. Development on farmland is irreversible. We in southern Ontario are lucky enough to live in an area blessed with some of the best farmland in Ontario, in Canada, and on the planet itself. This should never to be taken for granted. This is an amazing resource that should be treasured and protected at all costs. This land is the birthright of future generations -ours to protect.

Current housing needs are not an excuse for sprawl planning. The 70s are over. Our plans for land use should be looking ahead to the 21st century.

Thank you.

A concerned Ontario family