I reject these proposed…

I reject these proposed changes to the Growth Plan Policy regarding siting of aggregate extraction operations that will allow new sites to be created in the habitat of endangered and threatened species throughout the Natural Heritage System. These operations can already occur throughout most of the GGH and justifying new sites with closer market access is not worth risking our province’s biodiversity. Prohibiting aggregate extraction within the habitats of our most vulnerable plants and animals is the bare minimum that should be required. Secondly, extending the Growth Plan horizon year to 2051 is not justified with real land demand. Extending the plan will only facilitate more urban boundary expansions instead of striving to increase existing density. Besides losing undeveloped land and natural areas, this has many other impacts in regards to climate change where people continue to seek out larger homes/properties and drive further distances to their employment. Finally, in regards to growth forecasts it is crucial they are done correctly. We should now allow municipalities to use higher forecasts as this could facilitate more sprawl and undoes the benefits that a region-wide approach to growth forecasts brings. It will be to the benefit of all Ontarians to promote the emergence of sustainable, inclusive, climate-resilient communities across the GGH.