January 15, 2019 …

January 15, 2019

Intergovernmental Policy Coordination Unit
900 Bay Street, Hearst Block, 7th floor
Toronto, Ontario M6H 4L1

EBR# 013-4293 input on Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act

As a farm operator and forest landowner, I am writing to the Premier and Government of Ontario to ask that you keep your promise to protect the Greenbelt, call back the Ontario legislature to work and introduce a new Bill 66 that stops the destructive and misguided attacks on the Greenbelt, Niagara Escarpment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Lake Simcoe, Source Water Protection Areas and other important farmlands, forests, wetlands and natural areas.

During the election campaign, you promised to protect the Ontario Greenbelt Plan and recently released a “Made in Ontario” Environment Plan making the same commitment to the people of Ontario. Bill 66 as proposed, related deregulation and Section 10 will undo the beneficial land use policies that guide smart and vibrant communities.

Provincial and municipal data show there is enough land already available in our towns and cities for our housing needs up to 2041. There is also a surplus of land for new businesses and we should be encouraging investment in these areas with strategic marketing not urban sprawl. By building within existing towns and cities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe we can increase the supply of affordable housing and jobs in existing serviced communities while holding urban boundaries firm.

Protected farmland supplies local food and enhances food security at a time when prices are rising and supplies from other countries are being threatened with trade barriers. Farming and local food production is economically important and provides jobs to thousands. Urban sprawl onto farmland destroys farm businesses and farming communities.

Clean and abundant water is critical to both human and nature survival. Opening areas that have been protected for the safety of our drinking water to development threatens our environmental health, increases flooding, erosion problems and drought.

Forests, wetlands, natural areas and farmlands also provide healthy habitat for wildlife diversity, sequester carbon, mitigate the effects of climate change, provide open space and recreation opportunities and cleanse our air constantly and naturally.

Farmlands, forests, water and natural areas disappear forever in urban sprawl. Please keep your promise to serve Ontario with integrity and improve Bill 66.

Respectfully submitted,
Ontario Citizen, UE, B.Sc.and P.Ag.(ret.)
Greenbelt Resident, Farm Manager and Forest Owner