I have three issues…

I have three issues regarding this Amendment.

1) The Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing (MMAH) proposing to remove the Growth Plan policy that prohibits wayside pits/quarries in the habitats of endangered/threatened species in the Natural Heritage System with the argument that aggregate resources need to be available "close to market". This is unfounded because aggregates operations already occur throughout most of the Golden Horseshoe, including the NHS. The purpose of the NHS is to protect biodiversity, so prohibiting aggregate extraction within vulnerable habitats is the bare minimum.

2) MMAH proposing to extend the plan horizon from 2041 to 2051. This not justified and only allows more urban boundary expansions.

3) MMAH updating the "Distribution of Population & Employment" for the GGH and proposing that municipalities be allowed to use the "higher forecasts" from the "Reference Growth Forecast". First of all, MMAH needs to ensure that these forecasts are accurate and take into consideration a distribution of jobs/population that promotes sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient communities. Secondly, allowing municipalities to use higher forecasts could promote more sprawl.