Opening up the green belt is…

Opening up the green belt is in itself the "logical" and misguided conclusion that has resulted of decades of inaction. The issue is not that we are running out of land to build future communities to support the Ontario economy. In Toronto (for example), we have enough space (horizontal and vertical) to support the density required for future generations; however, this requires a lot of public support to agree to development of communities close to their single-family houses. In Toronto and the rest of Ontario, we just continue repeating the same city planning strategies. So far, no politician or government worker has been able to provide a concise and clear direction where Ontario economy is headed. Our economy is more service-centric at the major cities and resource/energy-centric (Sudbury, Sarnia, Tiverton and others). For service-centric economy, the core principals are education, affordable living and transportation. Successful countries in Asia, who are service-driven economies, tend to favour the 70-20-10 rule. 70% of the space in a municipality is dedicated to living space, 20% is dedicated to recreational businesses or places (parks/restaurants/) and then 10% is dedicated to offices and supporting spaces. In this way, parents do not spend too much time commuting and can support children and family more as the time moves forward. In short, a strong culture and community that supports the economy in their neighbourhood.

We are still stuck in the past mentality that every one should have a car, that commuting 1 hour or more away from their work is acceptable and that building communities around already-existing stations is somehow blasphemous in the political realm. What the current government tends to forget is that new communities will require access to the same services that everyone else is requiring access to (education, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, etc.). There are service that are not available to the existing communities, towns and cities within Ontario. If the Green belt is opened, it is just the lazy pseudo-"greenwashing" showcase of any politician doing something for the community. Opening the Green belt will not lessen the prices in or around Toronto or any other major city. It will not lower rents, lower food cost or improve education. Opening the Green belt only benefits the developers that have been gouging the current population in Ontario. The problem is simple (Middle income and low income cannot afford to live in Ontario at the rate we are going). Middle and low-income communities support development of infrastructure more than developers. However, since not many people can live close to where they work and still be hopeful for the future, everyone is being driven off to other provinces or countries. Several of my colleagues have left to other provinces more relaxed. These are professionals that could have created future jobs for other Ontario residents. My previous colleagues liked living in Ontario but they just could not continue with the same status quo for 20 more years.

My father used to commute 4 hours a day to reach his job in Mississauga. How likely is for any person living outside of Toronto to be contributing their best to Ontario's economy? How likely is any low-income citizens to achieve their dreams in Ontario, if they are not able to afford living in the city where they work and where their children can grow to be whatever they can be (and should be). Toronto has land, look at Scarborough and you see land. Look at Etobicoke and you see potential growth. What you do not have is a strong vision. The education system is awful if you do not live in a relatively safe area. Jane and Finch and other sections need help but the help is never there. The homelessness problem is exacerbated and politicians think short term solutions will fix long term problems. The economy in Ontario thrives greatly for the optimism and hopefulness that immigrants bring to each city; sadly, cities are not designed to support an unclear vision. My litmus test to any infrastructure project is to imaging if the city/area was my house; would this be inline with the purpose of my house. The answer to most projects in Ontario is no, it is not inline with Ontario's vision (regardless of how blurry that vision is or how overused by previous politicians is). In short, the Green belt is not the answer to the housing crisis and it only will benefit developers. We are stronger when all our neighbours are stronger. By spreading us apart and not looking at the current issues that many Ontarians are facing (regardless of what level of government is responsible for addressing that issue).

Do better, be better and we can reach our best together.