I strongly disagree with the…

I strongly disagree with the proposed changes to the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS). The PPS is an essential piece of policy to ensure that Ontario's Natural Heritage Features are protected for future generations and for the important ecosystem services that forests, wetlands, and wildlife provide. The proposed changes will are short-sighted and not supported by scientific research.

The government's underlying premise, that more land is needed for housing development outside existing settlement areas is false. As noted by Ontario's Housing Affordability Task Force in 2022, a shortage of land is not the cause of the shortage.

We should not be promoting urban spawl into our limited natural and agricultural resources. Higher density building, building on old and abandoned land within cities and green building practices would be sufficient to help the housing issues in Ontario.

I would also like to note, that the types of houses being built in new sub-divisions are no longer affordable to the average Canadian. Looking within cities to find areas for low-income housing should be considered a priority.