Coalition for a Liveable…

Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury comments to the Provincial Policy Statement Review
ERO number019-0279
October 21, 2019

Fundamental to the PPS is a balance of all interests in planning: economic, environmental, and social. The proposed review abandons this balance and disproportionately focuses on business and the development industry. This unbalanced focus will not only cause long term and in some cases irrevocable harm to our natural environment, it also significantly increases financial costs and risks. In a time of climate emergency, it is optimal for all interests to plan for climate mitigation and adaptation.

The science is clear – we have a short window to reduce carbon emissions and avoid catastrophic climate change. At the same time, current climate change is already impacting Ontario’s residents and cities. Ontario residents are experiencing growing financial, health, and other harm from climate change. The IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C identifies cities and urban areas as one of four critical global systems that can accelerate and upscale climate action. The IPCC also recognizes the role of land use in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The PPS should be guided by these documents and support and implement best practices in land use to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and protect residents, and our built and natural environment from current and anticipated climate impacts.

This would include:
-Additional protection for natural systems and water quality (including integrated watershed management and a natural heritage system approach)
-Afforestation, and protection of forests (including urban forests), with special protection of old growth forests
-No building or infrastructure in 100-year flood plains; and updating of floodplain mapping. Flood-proofing of existing vulnerable neighbourhoods (or in some cases, planned relocation of areas that are no longer liveable).
-Support for net-zero buildings (new builds and retrofits)
-Support for net-zero transportation. This must include land use planning for walkable, bikeable communities, connected with good public transportation.
-Support for regenerative agriculture
-Support for alternative energy
-Support for self-sufficient communities (including energy and food)

At a time of climate crisis, we need more than ever to plan and build our communities to be low emission, and to be ready for flooding, extreme weather events and heat, and wildfires. At a time of climate crisis, we need more than ever to protect the health of our water and our ecosystems. Good land use planning is recognized as essential to avoiding catastrophic climate change – this is the role the PPS must play.