I am a student that studies…

I am a student that studies at Central Peel Secondary School in Ontario, Canada. As a Canadian, I have a vision for our country to remain environmentally sustained. The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe is in place to accommodate our growing environment and population. While there are some amendments that I agree with and believe will help positively shape Canada’s future, there are certain changes to amendments are more beneficial to people than they are to the environment.

One of the changes to the amendments that I disagree with is in Amendment 1.1, where “low-density urban sprawl” will be deleted and replaced with “unmanaged growth”. Stating that unmanaged growth is going to deteriorate environmental resources, when urban sprawl is going to do the exact same thing is just lying. Any expansion of residential area will damage the surrounding habitat.

Another one of the amendments that I disagree is Amendment 1.2. I believe that Amendment 1.2 is very hypocritical. It is stated that “a clean and healthy environment” and “social equity” will be deleted and replaced, “an approach that puts people first”. It is proposed that this amendment will create a cleaner environment for future generations. However, I believe that it will not create a cleaner environment, but instead create more jobs and income for the government. Creating protected employment zones and increasing the variety of housing available is only beneficial to people. I believe that “an approach that puts people first” is only focused on advancing human desires, such as urban sprawl. For residents to have easy access to public services in expanded residential areas would mean that a great deal of new infrastructure will have to be constructed. As a result, the community’s surrounding ecosystem will be disrupted.

On the other hand, there are many great and powerful amendments in the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe that are equally advantageous to both the environment and people. I hope that there are many positive changes to come to Canada very soon.