On behalf of Grimsby…

On behalf of Grimsby Environmental Network I ask you to Please return ALL lands back to the Greenbelt and that includes lands in Grimsby. Citizens have come together with a Loud & Strong message we want our Greenbelt land protected. I am reminded recently of some youngsters I met at the Hands Off The Greenbelt Rally out front of MPP Sam Oosterhoff's office, trudging along with all of us in the snow. They made their own sign with flashing lights & were so proud to tell me they only wanted 1 thing for Christmas, Return the Greenbelt! They even made a song last year about it. Sadly they are reaching out again to try to get their message across. I wish we all cared as much for the environment as these little Herons do, maybe we wouldn't be in such a horrible mess now. Please commit to Protecting the Greenbelt and all of our environment for our children, grandchildren and future generations. These little youngsters even made a video called Greenbelt for Christmas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV0jl5Gl4Xs. This land is not needed for housing as Grimsby has met it's targets and our own Director of Planning has stated we have vasts amount of land to serve our building needs for 30 years. So who's interests are being served if these Greenbelt lands are taken now? We need our Greenbelt lands protected with stronger policy so this can never, ever happen again. I understand our Town Council is asking for 2 parcels of land to be removed from Grimsby but the parcels in question include 1. Natural Heritage Systems with at least two creeks and the presence of Grimsby Wetlands/Biggar Lagoon Wetlands complex. 2. Agricultural land that is Specialty Crop Area, the best land in Ontario that should be in maximum production but owned by many who are guilty of seeing farming there only as an interim use. 3. Water Systems, the lands back onto Lake Ontario which is a significant water feature 4. Connectivity and Recreational Value as they represent the last remaining agricultural and natural area linkage between Niagara and Hamilton. There are areas here defined as SPA - Specialty Crop Areas - The OMAFA is unequivocal about the importance of Specialty Crop Areas and are given the highest protection because they are scarce and unique, if lost, they cannot be replaced and represent some of Ontario's highest earning agricultural lands. Please give these youngsters all they have wished for Christmas in the last 2 years & return all land back to the Greenbelt. Thank You!