Dear Sir/Madam, I have major…

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have major concerns with Bill 23 and Schedule 9 and 1 .

Major Concerns

The government has imposed a series of policy proposals aimed to deal with a housing crisis, however the issues of affordability and current supply of development lots is not addressed.
How can the province assign numbers with no consultation and analysis of water and sewage capacity for these communities? And without reference to existing Official Plans ? These processes need to include consultation! When did this change in Ontario? This is not sound planning for growth.

Richmond Hill, my community, has been, “ assigned” 27,000 new houses. A study done by Better Richmond Hill and presented to Council, outlines that 20,000 development lots available are in the pipe for approval. Therefore we don’t need any new development for many years.

The Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force, Feb 2022, stated on page 10, that new development in the Greenbelt is not required.
“ But a shortage of land isn’t the cause of the problem. Land is available, both inside the existing built-up areas and on undeveloped land outside greenbelts.
…… Most of the solution must come from densification. Greenbelts and other
environmentally sensitive areas must be protected, and farms provide food and food security. Relying too heavily on undeveloped land would whittle away too much of the already small share of land devoted to agriculture.”

Quote by Premier Ford
“Unequivocally, we won’t touch the Greenbelt. … We’ll figure out how to clean up this housing mess, this housing crisis that we’re facing, in a different fashion.” Ford 2018 Election Promise

Quote by Minister Steve Clarke
Minister Clark said the government "will not in any way entertain any proposals that will move lands in the Greenbelt, or open the Greenbelt lands to any kind of development.'' 2021.
The government must do the right thing for the long term protection of Ontarians’ agricultural lands, water, wetlands, stormwater resources and the services to citizens that they provide. Taxpayers costs for infrastructure to replace wetlands and farmlands we will pay for in perpetuity. Once these valuable resource are gon,e cannot get them back, prudent development is required.
I urge the government to examine the underlying need for Bill 23 to provide urgent affordable housing. Examine the current development lots within existing communities and water and sewage capacities to ensure a rational system of planned growth. Work with municipalities, AMO, the Conservation Authorities Working Group. Do not sacrifice our farmlands, food security and critical water infrastructure which provides cost effective protection from floods and hazards for all Ontarians.
The government has imposed a series of policy proposals aimed to deal with a housing crisis, however the issues of affordability and current supply of development lots is not addressed.
How can the province assign numbers with no consultation and analysis of water and sewage capacity for these communities? And without reference to existing Official Plans ? These processes need to include consultation! When did this change in Ontario? This is not sound planning for growth.

Richmond Hill, my community, has been, “ assigned” 27,000 new houses. A study done by Better Richmond Hill and presented to Council, outlines that 20,000 development lots available are in the pipe for approval. Therefore we don’t need any new development for many years.

The Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force, Feb 2022, stated on page 10, that new development in the Greenbelt is not required.
“ But a shortage of land isn’t the cause of the problem. Land is available, both inside the existing built-up areas and on undeveloped land outside greenbelts.
…… Most of the solution must come from densification. Greenbelts and other
environmentally sensitive areas must be protected, and farms provide food and food security. Relying too heavily on undeveloped land would whittle away too much of the already small share of land devoted to agriculture.”

Quote by Premier Ford
“Unequivocally, we won’t touch the Greenbelt. … We’ll figure out how to clean up this housing mess, this housing crisis that we’re facing, in a different fashion.” Ford 2018 Election Promise

Quote by Minister Steve Clarke
Minister Clark said the government "will not in any way entertain any proposals that will move lands in the Greenbelt, or open the Greenbelt lands to any kind of development.'' 2021.
The government must do the right thing for the long term protection of Ontarians’ agricultural lands, water, wetlands, stormwater resources and the services to citizens that they provide. Taxpayers costs for infrastructure to replace wetlands and farmlands we will pay for in perpetuity. Once these valuable resource are gon,e cannot get them back, prudent development is required.
I urge the government to examine the underlying need for Bill 23 to provide urgent affordable housing. Examine the current development lots within existing communities and water and sewage capacities to ensure a rational system of planned growth. Work with municipalities, AMO, the Conservation Authorities Working Group. Do not sacrifice our farmlands, food security and critical water infrastructure which provides cost effective protection from floods and hazards for all Ontarians.
The government has imposed a series of policy proposals aimed to deal with a housing crisis, however the issues of affordability and current supply of development lots is not addressed.
How can the province assign numbers with no consultation and analysis of water and sewage capacity for these communities? And without reference to existing Official Plans ? These processes need to include consultation! When did this change in Ontario? This is not sound planning for growth.

Richmond Hill, my community, has been, “ assigned” 27,000 new houses. A study done by Better Richmond Hill and presented to Council, outlines that 20,000 development lots available are in the pipe for approval. Therefore we don’t need any new development for many years.

The Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force, Feb 2022, stated on page 10, that new development in the Greenbelt is not required.
“ But a shortage of land isn’t the cause of the problem. Land is available, both inside the existing built-up areas and on undeveloped land outside greenbelts.
…… Most of the solution must come from densification. Greenbelts and other
environmentally sensitive areas must be protected, and farms provide food and food security. Relying too heavily on undeveloped land would whittle away too much of the already small share of land devoted to agriculture.”

Quote by Premier Ford
“Unequivocally, we won’t touch the Greenbelt. … We’ll figure out how to clean up this housing mess, this housing crisis that we’re facing, in a different fashion.” Ford 2018 Election Promise

Quote by Minister Steve Clarke
Minister Clark said the government "will not in any way entertain any proposals that will move lands in the Greenbelt, or open the Greenbelt lands to any kind of development.'' 2021.
The government must do the right thing for the long term protection of Ontarians’ agricultural lands, water, wetlands, stormwater resources and the services to citizens that they provide. Taxpayers costs for infrastructure to replace wetlands and farmlands we will pay for in perpetuity. Once these valuable resource are gone cannot get them back, prudent development is required.
I urge the government to examine the underlying need for Bill 23 to provide urgent affordable housing. Examine the current development lots within existing communities and water and sewage capacities to ensure a rational system of planned growth. Work with municipalities, AMO, the Conservation Authorities Working Group. Do not sacrifice our farmlands, food security and critical water infrastructure which provides cost effective protection from floods and hazards for all Ontarians.

Specific to Schedule 9 and 1

1. Removal of Public Meetings for Plans of Subdivision

A key principle of the Planning Act is to encourage public participation in land use planning.

Recommendation:
Section 17(4) of Schedule 9 should be withdrawn to maintain the public meeting requirement for draft plans of subdivision.

2) Minister to make an Amendment to an official plan

If the Minister is of the opinion that it is likely to adversely affect a matter of provincial interest, they can make amendments without giving local municipalities an opportunity to address the issue. This is contrary to participatory democracy.

Recommendation:
Section 7 of Schedule 9 should be withdrawn

3) Planning and Upper Tier Municipalities

Upper Tier Municipalities, County of Simcoe, Regional Municipalities of Halton, Peel, York Durham, Niagara and Waterloo would no longer have planning authority. Upper tier municipalities have various responsibilities for water,wastewater and regional planning. Approval of lower tier official plans and amendments should not be taken over by the Minister. This is contrary to participatory democracy and would create chaos where regional systems and services are required.

Recommendation:
Schedule 9 sections which remove upper tier municipal planning responsibilities be deleted.

Summary

Undermining participatory democracy is a serious action. Premier Ford and his cabinet will be held accountable