The proposed amendments to…

The proposed amendments to the Greenbelt have nothing to do with improving Ontario’s supply of affordable housing. This is a plan to help enrich some developers, many of whom are Conservative Party donors, while increasing urban sprawl, degrading Ontario’s environmental protections, and increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

There is NO NEED to use Greenbelt land to build housing. If the government cared to provide us with a full accounting of all currently undeveloped land that is already zoned for housing, as well as under-utilized government-owned land that could be zoned for housing and sold, we would probably find that there is already plenty of space for housing without having to pave over environmentally protected areas.

Adding lands to the Greenbelt while taking some away undermines the whole concept of the Greenbelt as a protected area and sets a dangerous precedent.

This government has repeatedly demonstrated its anti-environmental zeal by wasting taxpayers money on frivolous lawsuits against the federal government and is now using the smokescreen of the affordable housing crisis to further its agenda of degrading our environment for future generations.

This attack on the Greenbelt, and related measures such as restricting municipalities’ ability to charge development fees -- as well as further encouraging sprawl with the proposed Highway 413 -- is ultimately an attack on the taxpayers of Ontario. The only people guaranteed to benefit are a few rich developers.

These policies add to the shameful legacy of Conservative governments in Ontario over the past several decades (Ipperwash, Walkerton, the 407 privatization). The Doug Ford regime -- supported by only 18% of Ontario voters -- is on track to surpass the lasting damage inflicted by Mike Harris. Subverting the democratic process in the middle of a municipal election; irresponsibly cutting taxes and capping nurses’ wages, thus putting our health-care system in peril; forgoing millions in licence sticker revenue in an attempt to bribe car drivers just before a provincial election; flagrant abuse of the Notwithstanding Clause. And now this.

There hasn’t been a Conservative worthy to be premier of this province since Bill Davis. Shame on you, Doug Ford, and all your colleagues. May you fall to a devastating defeat in the next election.