I am against the Proposed…

I am against the Proposed Amendments to the Greenbelt Plan (ERO number 019-6216)

Please do not go forward with the proposed developments and construction on the Greenbelt. The Greenbelt must remain untouched so that it can do its job protecting Canadian drinking water, air quality, wilderness, providing flood protection, and aiding in the fight against climate change.

While the Ontario health care system and education systems are in upheaval, this Greenbelt Plan is proposed at a time in which citizens are concerned about these systems and distracted. This feels like strategic timing to propose Greenbelt developments that overstep environmental boundaries which the public has expressed in the past.

The Greenbelt is an iconic part of Canadian heritage and unique in the world. It is also a functional and necessary part of our ecosystem that “safeguards the vital resources that clean our air and water, reduces our flood risks, provides a home for wildlife… The health of the Greenbelt affects the quality of drinking water for more than seven million Canadians… In times of drought, a healthy, connected system provides a buffer against diseases and other stresses… In a warming climate, the tree cover and vegetation of the Greenbelt keeps ambient temperatures down…The Greenbelt’s forests, wetlands, and soils slow the impact of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. [The Greenbelt provides] $224 million per year in flood protection offsets… [The Greenbelt absorbs] 71 million tonnes of carbon each year. [The Greenbelt provides] 56.5 million car equivalent of carbon offsets per year.” (www.greenbelt.ca)

Construction and pollution on the Greenbelt will corrupt Ontario citizens’ clean drinking water and fresh air.

This Greenbelt plan is a proposal to build properties which will benefit wealthy families and consumers. It wants to provide properties for those who are not affected by the housing crisis. However, the ongoing housing crisis is due to the almost 235,000 Canadians experiencing homelessness every year. It is due to the many Ontario citizens who work full-time yet can’t afford to rent or buy shelter for themselves and their families. The cost of housing has risen unattainably high for the average Ontarian because property is sold to the highest bidder instead of capped at a reasonable price so citizens can afford shelter in their own province.

A better solution to the housing crisis is to provide affordable housing for the low-income Ontario citizens who need it, and who are facing homelessness.

I propose to repurpose empty office buildings sitting in Toronto for high-density, low-income housing.