I am concerned about some of…

I am concerned about some of the changes proposed in Bill 66, in particular the intention to open the greenbelt to development. I strongly oppose a provision in the proposed legislation that would allow for development on land within the greenbelt surrounding the GTA and adjacent regions. The greenbelt is a vital natural corridor that protects water sources, farmland and species at risk, and not a wasteland that can be sacrificed in favour of urban sprawl. It remains a valuable asset for Ontario and the millions of people who live in nearby communities, and development of any of this precious green space would betray Ontarians’ trust in the government to act in their best interest. While initiatives to promote affordable housing and job creation are indeed important, there are effective ways to do this without encroaching on the greenbelt. Please remove Schedule 10 from Bill 66 and leave our greenbelt intact! It is important to remove this schedule from the legislation so that municipalities will not be able to override provisions in the Greenbelt Act, Clean Water Act, Lake Simcoe Act, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act and Great Lakes Protection Act.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.