The proposed open-for…

The proposed open-for-business planning tool in Bill 66 is an appalling approach to development in this province, putting at risk protected lands that are VITAL to our province.

Paving and developing this land is permanent. It is prime agricultural farmland – the land that would feed the GTA in a time of global crisis. It is land that provides fresh air and clean water to Ontarians. It is land that so many people access for their mental and physical health. It is land that is home to wildlife.

We can create jobs and have a thriving local economy without developing this land, in this way. Not to mention, jobs are only as good as the quality of life they support, and it is undeniable that quality of life is dependent on fresh water, fresh air, fresh food, and healthy ecosystems. How can job creation be more important than food security? If you can't eat, you cannot live.

I wish our government would take a more progressive approach to job creation - think outside the box, not this archaic approach of just paving over incredibly important land to create sub-par manufacturing jobs and appease foreign investors.