The proposal to expand…

The proposal to expand construction into the protected areas of the Greenbelt is misguided and will have long lasting negative repercussions on our environment. These lands are important for agriculture, and wildlife - once they are gone, they can not be replaced. It is disingenuous to suggest that these areas can be replaced by naming other areas of the province as protected areas, and the constant erosion of our environmental regulations will be looked back on as a massive error.

The fact that some developers purchased these areas in the last couple of years, many of whom have been linked to donations to the PC party, is very suggestive that they had prior information about this new plan. There is currently more than enough land that has been set aside for building, and the proposed plan does not include any promises regarding affordable housing or rental properties. These predominantly semi-rural areas will likely end up being used for estate homes and other high income properties, once again rewarding the developers that have a far too close relationship with our provincial government. The overuse of MZO decisions is another reflection of this inappropriate relationship and have been used to over rule the local decision making process.

Doug Ford promised he would not open up the Greenbelt to development. People voted for his party and believed that this was true. This is an unnecessary grab at the few remaining undeveloped areas in our province, and the PC party should hold to their promise.