Re: Proposed Amendment 1 to…

Re: Proposed Amendment 1 to A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe

As Ontario continues to reopen its economy, we need to take this once in a generation opportunity to implement a Green and Just Recovery. We have seen rapid and decisive action to deal with the COVID- 19 crisis here in Ontario and must continue with this level of initiative and cooperation to create a strong and resilient economy that is inclusive, engages all our citizens and protects our natural habitats.

This approach can begin right now with planning for our future here in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. A careful balance must be struck between the region’s ability to accommodate new housing and businesses and its obligation to protect the health of its farms, rivers, wetlands and forests. Prosperity is only sustainable when these needs are balanced and complement one another.

That is why the recent government proposal to weaken and undermine the Growth Plan is a mistake. Removing the existing protections for endangered species from new gravel pits and quarries on natural heritage areas is unacceptable and a step backward. With 5000 pits and quarries already, problems are not because of insufficient quantity, but rather management and inadequate supply chains.

Based on analysis of population and employment growth over the period of time since the Plan was announced in 2006, and using 2016 census figures, most of the GGH has not grown to projections, while Toronto and Peel have exceeded projections. If urbanization forecasts projected over a much shorter time-frame have been mostly inaccurate, why should one expect those to 2051 would be any better? Minister Clark argues that this is about post-COVD-19 economic recovery planning. Is it realistic though to think that planning for scenarios 30 years out – if they materialize at all – is the answer for short to medium term needs? The only ones to benefit from a 30-year horizon are land speculators and developers looking to low-density urban sprawl and not more sustainable and affordable mixed development.

In contrast, the 2020 Declaration for Resilience in Canadian Cities prepared by a cross-section of developers, business leaders, government officials and others offers some guiding principles that are much more in tune with what is required for a sustainable future and can be accomplished with greater impact in a much shorter time-frame. These include, among many others, more self-contained and affordable “15-minute” neighbourhoods with amenities for an ageing population and those with disabilities, a commitment to decarbonization of transportation with enhanced public transit and electric taxi and ride-sharing vehicles, and revised building codes for all new government buildings mandating higher energy efficiencies.

Events of the past several months have brought into sharp focus issues of inequality and economic hardship that were hidden “just below the surface”. They have also shown what can be done in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation. Let’s take that further and plan a future to serve the needs of all of us. I look forward to hearing about what actions your Government will be taking to ensure a Green and Just Recovery in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.