Thank you for this…

Thank you for this opportunity to comment on this important issue. Our family of 6 have academic and applied hands-on experience in: farming; health/ science risk assessment; industrial engineering operational improvement; and, environmental engineering. We are concerned about food and water security, existential threats from climate change, increased GHG emissions from sprawl, threats to Indigenous lands, threats to protective wetlands and endangered species.

With respect to the Scope of your proposed expansion
We understand that your proposed Expanding the Greenbelt is limited in scope to two Study Areas, the Paris Galt Moraine and Urban River Valley. We would like the expansion to include the BlueBelt identified in the February 2021 "Expanding Ontario Greenbelt: Getting it Right" .
We are also concerned that the Greenbelt area around your proposed HWY 413 is not addressed. The HWY 413 contradicts the Province's commitment to "no land removals". Our family does not support HWY 413 as it will increase GHG emissions from sprawl, and threaten food and water resources. The $6 to $10 billion estimated cost of HWY 413 would be better spent on using existing lands within our municipalities already approved for development. Instead of sprawl we support vertical housing projects as demonstrated in Toronto's "Growing UP" of mixed use condos with family size units, convenient access to playgrounds, daycare, shopping, schools and rapid transit. We are hopeful that your government can find better ways to use the 407 instead of wasting taxpayer dollars on HWY 413.
HWY 413 also contradicts category 3 , Protecting our Agriculture, under "Other Provincial Priorities". It is our understanding that the farmland and numerous waterways around the proposed HWY 413, will be paved over by HWY 413. We are also concerned about the lack of transparency in your Government pushing for HWY 413. We have not been able to find a cost benefit , risk analysis on the proposed HWY 413. If one exists, your Government should ensure it is accessible to the Public.

With respect to Principle 2 for Growing the Greenbelt Expansion
We are concerned by the statement in Principle 2 "No consideration of policy changes....any potential expansions will be based on existing policies." Our concern lies in the fact that your recent MZO policies have been shown to over ride sound science, expert opinions of the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority and of Municipal Councils. We do not support the Minister making such critical decisions of approving development permits without considering science, experts in conservation, and the cost of present day and future environmental externalities associated with climate change and food and water security. We want to see a meaningful, transparent, socio-economic environmental assessment, cost benefit analysis in place for the GreenBelt.

In closing we fully support all the recommendations in the Report " Expanding Ontario Greenbelt: Getting it Right" February 2021 .