I oppose the Government of…

I oppose the Government of Ontario's proposed adoption of the new Provincial Planning Statement (ERO#19-6813). This would nullify the existing Provincial Policy Statement and Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, which provide balanced and integrated land use planning that protects against urban sprawl.

The proposed change would undermine smart growth and sustainable land use planning in Ontario, remove prime agricultural land from its function, and threaten our natural heritage. Research has shown that the current housing shortage is not a result of land shortage, but instead, of failure to use available land for affordable housing, and development characterized by sprawl rather than intensification. The government's proposed response to the housing shortage would not ensure that affordable housing is constructed, but would perpetuate current housing patterns that prioritize profit for developers and keep prices too high for many of those who need housing.