To: Environmental Registry…

To: Environmental Registry of Ontario
I am a strong opponent of the proposed changes to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (A Place to Grow) and the Provincial Policy Statement of Ontario, as presented by Minister Clark on April 6, 2023.
These proposals will have the effect of increased urban sprawl at higher cost not only financial, but especially for the environment, while the housing targets will not be met by building less compact lower populated subdivisions. Ontario has to build more dense, more compact, and more affordable instead, so that existing natural environment and farmland will stay untouched. Building ‘more houses faster’ is not contrary to protecting our natural environment!
Although the proposals ‘encourage’ density, especially in transit hubs, there is no longer a requirement or mandate to keep the density to at least 80 residents and jobs per hectare (earlier by the Ontario government already downsized from 80 to 50%).
The same goes for increasing density by infill, where the requirement in high-demand municipalities to use existing infrastructure and space for at least 60% of the new to build houses (earlier already down to 50 from 60%) will be eliminated. And especially for the elimination in the Provincial Policy Statement requirement to seize all opportunities for efficient infill development, such as changing the zoning requirements in neighbourhoods for single-family homes.
As a resident of Ontario and a grandfather I demand of the Environmental Registry of Ontario to take all steps necessary to prevent the proposed changes as mentioned in my first paragraph and instead to enable municipalities to plan and work towards a livable future with sustainable cities and protected farm–, wet– and woodlands.
Thank you for your attention.