I strongly oppose proposed…

I strongly oppose proposed changes to the Provincial Policy Statement, 2022 (PPS) and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (Growth Plan). We must RETAIN all Provincial Policy Statement and Growth Plan policies for the Greater Golden Horseshoe designed to curb sprawl and protect farmland and natural areas.

The proposed changes would accelerate urban sprawl and the ongoing loss of farmland and natural areas in Ontario.

A shortage of land is NOT the cause of Ontario’s housing shortage, as noted by the Housing Affordability Task Force in 2022:

"Land is available, both inside the existing built-up areas and on undeveloped land outside greenbelts. … Most of the solution must come from densification. Greenbelts and other environmentally sensitive areas must be protected, and farms provide food and food security. Relying too heavily on undeveloped land would whittle away too much of the already small share of land devoted to agriculture. (p. 10)"

The proposed policy changes would undermine density targets designed to reduce urban sprawl and allow municipalities to expand without a review of impacts on farmland and natural areas. The removal of the requirement for municipalities to undertake watershed planning will lead to flooding events as our climate changes due to global warming.

This government wants to force municipalities to allow three lots to be severed from every farm, even in prime agricultural areas. Considering that Ontario is losing farmland at the rate of 319 acres per day this will make matters much worse and spell disaster for the lands and waters that sustain us.

It is time to listen to the experts, who have shown that the amount of land already designated for development FAR EXCEEDS what is needed to meet long-range housing targets.