Please stop Bill 66 - this…

Please stop Bill 66 - this will not enhance the competitiveness of Ontario. Indeed, it will set us backwards.

You told voters you would protect the Greenbelt and therefore I urge you to call back legislature and introduce a new, different Bill that stops the attacks on the Greenbelt, Oak Ridges Moraine, Lake Simcoe, Source Water Protection Areas and other important protected farm and natural areas to development.

In your recent Environment Plan you made the same commitment to protect the Greenbelt. Bill 66 will threaten water supplies, green space, and protected farm and natural areas.

Natural infrastructure in the Greenbelt is a climate adaptation measure - it protects us from extreme weather events such as flooding by absorbing rainwater. Paving over this puts more Canadians at risk from more extreme weather events.

As well, 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. By building within our existing towns and cities throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe we can increase the supply of affordable housing and jobs in our existing serviced communities while holding firm on urban boundaries.

Protected farmland supplies local food and enhances food security at a time when prices are rising and supplies from other countries are increasingly threatened. Farming is also economically important and provides jobs to thousands. Sprawl onto farmland destroys farm businesses and farm communities.

Water is critical to human survival. Opening areas that have been protected for the safety of our drinking water to development threatens our long term health and increases flood risks. You do not want another Walkerton.

Once gone, farmland and natural areas are gone forever. Please keep your promise and stop Bill 66.

Thank you,