We can agree that housing is…

We can agree that housing is an issue that needs to be addressed, and the housing issue can be addressed, but in a more appropriate and sustainable way.

The fact is that Doug Ford promised that he would not develop on the Greenbelt. Furthermore, the Housing Affordability Task Force “explained in its 2022 report, we do not need to sacrifice environmental protection to address the housing crisis.” Please clarify why the government is so keen to ignore the report and develop on the Greenbelt when the Greenbelt does not need to be developed.

Second, a logic that cites expedience and urgency as reasons to dismantle democracy and democratic processes, as well as to remove powers of participation and self-determination from citizens and municipal and regional governments, is terribly flawed and terribly undemocratic at heart. Democracy is process; removing process to move fast threatens to degrade and break democracy. Please explain, for instance, how democratic ideals are upheld when laws and motions can be passed with the support of only one-third of a governing body.

Dialogue and negotiation are at the heart of our democratic systems; the government is to be congratulated for arriving at a negotiated agreement with the province’s educational support workers. What the government originally threatened to do however, to force a return to work by invoking the notwithstanding clause, was wrong, and the government needed to be reminded and instructed that there is a better way. Thankfully, the government listened.

Whatever the supposed rationale may be, what the government proposes to do with sections of Bills 23 and 39, is wrong. Governments and municipalities, CAs and interest groups, and concerned citizens like myself are lining up to declare that what the government proposes to do is wrong. The government needs to understand this and needs to get back to the drawing board to find a better way. The housing issues in our province can be solved. Many are dedicated to addressing it. Wise governments listen to the warning calls and adjust their approaches accordingly.