The changes to the Growth…

The changes to the Growth Plan, 2017 (a plan that was just recently updated, after extensive consultation) are confounding, and do not appear to bring us any closer to achieving the goals touted by this government in the media. For example, I have heard it said that these amendments will help increase the "missing middle" of housing stock -- where, in reality, the only types of housing that will increase is single-detached. These minor changes are major in terms of agricultural protection and ensuring municipalities work towards protecting our shared resources. Please consider the following comments:
- Editorial removals such as "climate change" and "urban sprawl" down play the severity of these issues; what do you think is gained by their removal?
- Land supply (both for housing and employment) is not an issue -- in fact, most municipalities are over-designated past 2041
- the new "tiered" approach to growth targets send dangerous signals -- does this mean that Simcoe, Kawartha Lakes, etc. should not move towards more intense built-form that can support transit? We cannot continue to build neighbourhoods just for cars. Also, the "leap-frogging effect", often touted as concern, will be even more pronounced after this amendment
- Permitting "rounding out of rural settlement areas" and 40-ha settlement area boundary expansions out side of the MCR is not good for the protection of agricultural resources. We need strong urban boundaries to prevent land speculation and ensure investments can be made in the agricultural industry. In addition, as proposed, these policies do not clarify the specifics of how these policies can be implemented, which is just irresponsible
- I am concerned that the Agricultural System Mapping is suspended, as it is a good resource for municipalities (especially those that have not done the work to develop their own mapping)
- if real change was desired, there could have been specific policies on ensuring/mandating more densities in already built-up areas and tackling things such as "the yellow belt" in Toronto. None of these changes, in my opinion, signal the type of progress we need to create livable communities in Ontario and are simple disingenuous in its approach. These changes just seem to erode the integrity of the Growth Plan.