To whom it may concern: I am…

To whom it may concern:
I am deeply troubled by the Ontario Government’s plan to make amendments to the Greenbelt.
Making these amendments undermines the permanency of the Greenbelt and sets a bad precedent that will weaken the Greenbelt significantly. As you know, on February 28, 2005, the Greenbelt Act was passed by the Ontario government, creating the world’s largest Greenbelt. Permanently protecting 2 million acres of remarkably productive farmland and environmentally sensitive areas. The connectivity of the land was top of mind when the Greenbelt was designed, with the land being intentionally chosen to deliver health, prosperity, and climate resilience to Ontario's residents.
The Greenbelt was created in 2005 to:
1. Prevent further loss of farmland and natural heritage
2. Restrict urban sprawl
3. Work with the Growth Plan to develop vibrant communities where people can live, work, and play
To amend the greenbelt (even if a land swap is involved), goes against the core purposes of the Greenbelt.
Instead of the government looking for loopholes in the Greenbelt act, they should be looking for ways to build more intentionally and consciously on the land that is not under the Act. The housing crises is not an excuse to make changes to an Act that looks to protect the future of Ontarians. Instead, your time, focus and attention should be put towards how Ontario can address the housing crises that honours the land we live on sustainably and for future generations to come.
The push for new homes to be in the process of constrcution by 2025 only increased my concern that this is a short-sighted plan. The Ford government is looking for quick solutions, without looking at the lasting impacts of any amendments (Undermining the Greenbelt, Loss of Farmland, climate change, loss of prosperity).
I am firmly against this amendment and call on the Ontario government to be good stewards of the land. Look to build more sustainable on unprotected areas and leave the Greenbelt as is (unless land is being added) look to build on land that is available instead of disrupting protected land and ecosystems