Please do not use the…

Please do not use the Greenbelt to build housing.

I believe that in less than 10 years Ontario will be experiencing catastrophic climate events because of global warming. Therefore, all decisions being made now need to be done using a “green” lens with regards to reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions.

With this information, it is important that the Provincial government take this into consideration as it makes legislative changes that will impact our future.

The Greenbelt is there for good reasons – to provide a place for us to grow our food, to provide a place for nature, to mitigate flooding and as recreation for our citizens. As a constraint on urban sprawl, it is a challenge to us to create alternatives to the single-family home. To achieve our GHG targets, we need to densify and intensify our housing options within the existing footprint of the Greater Toronto Area.

I am concerned that the Provincial Government does not fully understand the urgency of the situation.

The predictions for 2030 are apocalyptic, and we need to understand that the decisions we are making now are directly linked to either minimizing this potential or bringing it into being.

I am always fascinated by people who are able to survive terrible privation through prudent self-regulation and a hope for the future. This is that time for us.

Thank you.