Hello, I am writing today to…

Hello, I am writing today to submit a comment to ERO 019-6216, 019-6217, and 019-6218, pertaining to redesignation of Greenbelt lands.

Although I am in favour of investigating ways to increase affordable housing in Ontario, I am completely against and deeply concerned about the proposed changes to the Greenbelt. In my view, the proposed changes will have detrimental consequences to our environment. In addition, the plans actually do very little to increase housing in a sustainable or effective way.

The ethics of the Ontario government should be investigated. According to the CBC, "records show the landowner paid $80 million for 278 hectares of farmland in the Greenbelt a little more than a month before the housing minister announced it would be opened for development."

We have seen over the past few years how the climate crisis is worsening, increasing severe weather and causing grave damage. In Southern Ontario, one of the largest risks in a changing climates comes from flooding in population centres, and loss of viable farmland.

The changes suggested in this regulation appear set to make both outcomes worse. The wetlands in protected Greenbelt areas are essential for capturing rainwater runoff before it can flood more populous areas. In addition, by seeking to build new homes in protected areas, Ontario commits itself to expanding urban sprawl - worsening the climate crisis through increased emissions and poor city planning.

I urge the government to keep its promise not to touch the Greenbelt and instead look to increase density in urban areas, particular areas with strong transit infrastructure.

Ripping up the Greenbelt is short-sighted and dangerous for current and future generations, and will only make homes more expensive in the long run by imposing greater environmental risks and expanding unsustainable and inefficient sprawl. This government must take real, meaningful action to build sustainably for the future instead.