The government’s plan to…

The government’s plan to free up green belt land for housing development is idiotic. It will destroy ecologically sensitive areas, impact on endangered species and negatively impact water sources. The housing created will likely be low density and only contribute to more urban sprawl, more traffic and negative impacts on climate, and will do little to help our housing problem. Further, this form of development is not cost effective and in the long run will have negative impacts on municipalities’ budgets as it increases infrastructure costs.

To solve our housing problem, the government needs to explore more high density, low cost housing in already developed urban centres. They need to improve public and active transportation in these centres and make them more livable by enhancing what parkland and urban tree canopy that exists. In the long run it will be more cost effective for municipalities, and citizens and it will be better for the environment.

It is time to stop lining the pockets of developers and look to creating a better plan for all people and the planet.