As a longtime supporter of…

As a longtime supporter of sustainable conservation and environmental policies in Ontario, I share the concerns of a number of conservation and environmental organizations that believe some key aspects of the proposed changes to the Growth Plan for the GGH will unfortunately have detrimental consequences.
Environmental Defence and Environment Hamilton, for example, are concerned the proposed changes will weaken or eliminate important planning rules designed to prevent urban sprawl in the GGH.
I share the concern that it would be a mistake, under these proposals, to make urban boundary expansions easier and less planned. That could happen under the changes by allowing expansions in 40 hectare increments outside of the proper and holistic land needs assessment/municipal comprehensive review process.
These concerns are shared by City of Hamilton planning staff in a report on Feb. 19. It is unclear whether there would be a limit to the number of 40 ha parcels that can be taken out one after the other or who can initiate this process. Right now, only a municipality can initiate an urban boundary expansion.
A sustainable Growth Plan should encourage communities that feature a wide range of housing types rather than a single housing type, which City of Hamilton planners believe could take place with the proposed expansions of 40 ha. accommodating up to 800 dwelling units. The costs of servicing multiple smaller expansion areas will be greater and lead to an ineffective use of municipal financial resources.
I do support a proposal to establish Provincially Significant Employment Zones to offer stronger protection to these designated employment areas. However, I am concerned that any employment lands within the PSEZ designation can be more readily converted to mixed uses or residential development.
Whatever initiatives the government takes, it should focus on encouraging the housing industry, developers and municipalities to work together to boost the supply of affordable housing. It is imperative that the province resist pressure from land speculators to build more single family homes on our dwindling supply of productive farmland in the GGH.
It is also critical that the government correct a major omission and include specific direction to municipalities to recognize the growing threat of climate change and address the problem. Municipalities should strive to build compact, complete communities that would help. They need strong leadership from the province on climate change in order to help discourage low-density sprawl.
Tbank you.