Bill 23 - (More Homes Bult…

Bill 23 -
(More Homes Bult Faster Act 2022) by the province’s Conservative government attempts to create more housing through amendments to the Planning Act primarily for the benefit of urban areas, but leaves many rural communities reeling at the inevitable fallout .

WITHDRAW THIS BILL.

This “one size fits all” bill dangerously threatens the cultural/natural heritage assets on which many of these rural communities have formed the basis of their economies.

Prince Edward County represents slightly less than 26,000 acres, of which the vast much is productive farmland and natural assets. It has experienced extreme development pressure over the past 10 years. Productive farmland (such as the key headlands of the Waring Creek -which feeds into the lake system) are currently being gobbled up by development, due to their proximity to urban centres such as Picton and Wellington. Strong development pressure on rural lands is also a significant problem here.

Development in Prince Edward County has largely served to provide housing options for in migration, as the cost of these homes are not in sync with the area's working wages. The result is that those working in this rural area, cannot afford to live where they work. Reducing the % of required affordable housing by developers exacerbates the already critical lack of affordable housing. The entire community is being gentrified by developers with no concept of what affordable housing needs are in rural Ontario.

The amendments to the Planning Act and Conservation Act only intensifies the demise of quality of life within our rural communities. Prince Edward County's majpr economic drivers are agriculture and tourism. Our unique draw for tourism is our natural and cultural heritage. People come here to enjoy natural assets and our sand beaches. The amendments that allow for the development on wetlands, in a county that historically is one of the most drought ridden in Ontario, will only serve to lead to further demise of safe water supply, flood control and environmental protection.

Limiting the conservation authority’s role in assessing flood risks and other environmental factors in build projects – makes it unnecessary in some cases to obtain watershed agency approval for developments in floodplains or other hazard lands. This has an enormous impact on healthy communities and the environment.

As written, the bill also limits third-party appeals of planning matters to the Ontario Land Tribunal by community and advocacy groups or nearby residents. This eliminates "local" input into the process and places developers at a significant advantage, only relying on their consultant's opinions, based on a 1-2 hour visit to the site, often during the months of inactivity. This amendment will only benefit developers and land speculators, and not the community and existing land owners.

Bill 23 removes the public's right to engage in the democratic process within their community.

Bill 23 should not be approved . It should be withdrawn due to the negative impacts it will have on rural communities until the impacts to all Ontarians are addressed and rectified.