I am against the proposed…

I am against the proposed changes to the Greenbelt. There is too much at stake and it will jeopardize Ontario’s future. This is just some examples of what Ontario stands to lose forever if this plan goes ahead:

Major wildlife corridors and thousands of acres of farmland, sensitive woodlands and wetlands situated between the Rouge River and Duffins Creek watersheds, including the entire critical headwater reaches of Petticoat Creek.

A provincially designated wildlife corridor in King Township that provides a vital connection between the Holland Marsh and the Oak Ridges Moraine.

A valley of the East Humber River in Vaughan that supports the endangered redside dace.

A large wetland in Richmond Hill that is part of the provincially significant Rouge River Headwater Wetland Complex.

Critical wildlife corridors in Markham that connect the Oak Ridges Moraine to Rouge National Urban Park.

A large wildlife corridor in Markham at the sensitive headwaters for Robinson Creek, a tributary of the Rouge River, that supports a large cluster of provincially significant wetlands.

A band of protected farmland between Ajax and Whitby that connects the coastal wetlands and woodlands of Lynde Shores and a large block of woodlands and wetlands to the north along the former beach of Glacial Lake Iroquois.

A large provincially significant wetland in Clarington that is part of a sensitive groundwater recharge area.

Large woodlots, wetlands and prime farmland in Hamilton along a sensitive headwater tributary of Big Creek.

Farmland in Hamilton and Grimsby designated as Niagara Peninsula Tender Fruit Area.

This proposal defies belief. Ontarians are facing the ever-accelerating crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, to say nothing of the ongoing loss of 319 acres of farmland per day.

There are much better ways to provide sustainable housing than by ripping holes in the Greenbelt. Please keep the promise to protect the Greenbelt!