Good Day, It has been…

Good Day,

It has been fantastic to see the government finally agree to restore the Greenbelt parcels that should have never been removed in the first place. There has been serious concerns raised from all parts of Ontario about this attack on our essential provincial greenbelt. Premier Doug Ford broke his promise not to touch the greenbelt and then took almost a year to finally reverse course.

One of the most important aspects of the Greenbelt is the long-term planning certainty it established. Because it is to be permanent protection, with fixed boundaries lasting generations and even centuries much like National Parks, land speculation is greatly reduced when there is little prospect of profits. However, that permanence has been shatter, a whole new gold-rush like round of speculation has been launched making land less affordable for everyone - in particular farmers.

It will take decades to restore this trust and faith that the Greenbelt is properly protected. This new legislation needs to ensure that boundaries are fixed and permanent and prohibit any sort of land swaps or removals.

As well, the 10 year reviews need to ensure that they are used only to improve, enhance and enlarge the Greenbelt - not reduce, remove or threaten in any way.

There needs to be far better public engagement and consultation than we have seen from this government. If nothing else the thousands of lawn signs across the province urging the Premier to keep his Greenbelt promise should have been an indication that people give two hoots about the Greenbelt.

There also needs to be proper First Nations engagement and consultation.

The legislation needs to ensure that no new highways or infrastructure is build in the Greenbelt. There also needs to be an aggregate pit, mine and extraction prohibition in the Greenbelt - particularly due to the ground water sensitivity of this headwaters area.

Previous zoning not currently compatible with Greenbelt conservation needs to be cancelled and new planning needs to better take into account the unique needs of the Greenbelt.

Finally, the Greenbelt needs to be expanded dramatically - particularly to the outer ring regions such as Waterloo, Brant, Wellington and Simcoe that are experiencing such leapfrog and growth pressures. There has been extensive previous consultations on expansion along the Paris-Galt Moraine and along the "Blue-Belt" of significant water areas that need better protection such as the Waterloo Moraine, Orangeville Moraine, Luther Marsh and Lake Simcoe Watershed. The government should be considering doubling the size of the Greenbelt at a minimum to ensure future balance, resilience and prosperity.

The government has admitted its mistake in removing lands from the Greenbelt. Things need to be fully restored, improved, and better protected for future generations.

Please ensure the best possible future for my children and their children.