I am strongly opposed to…

I am strongly opposed to Bill 66. It will damage the greenbelt surrounding the GTA which will have negative economic, social, and environmental consequences. Although this bill proposes to increase economic development it will have a negative effect on main businesses already in the greenbelt which are based on tourism drawn to the natural beauty of the region. No one wants to vacation in a subdivision or next to a factory. Having lived in both King Township and Caledon I can say that many of my neighbors in those areas make a living based on the protection of these regions, not on the degradation of these beautiful communities and natural areas. Additionally, the costs associated with the ecosystem services provided by the greenbelt, in particular water filtration by the Oak Ridges Moraine would be prohibitively costly to replace. While I value the natural environment for its inherent value, it is also essential to note that these environments perform actions which we would have to replace with high tech infrastructure. The net economic benefit of Bill 66 is likely to be negative. Between destroying existing jobs and destroying the services these ecosystems provide, these changes that would fuel development in the greenbelt will cost Ontario tax payers money.
Please stop Bill 66.