I am a Hamilton resident and…

I am a Hamilton resident and am writing to express my strong support for the the amendments to the Urban Hamilton Official Plan and Rural Hamilton Official Plan, which propose that the City will accommodate population and employment growth to 2051 within the City’s existing urban area.

Hamilton is a city with booming education, healthcare and tech sectors, with a dynamic arts and culture scene. Now is the time to build within the existing city. Investing within our current urban boundary preserves surrounding farmland, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and ensures our tax dollars are used to maintain existing infrastructure. By building on under-utilized land within the city limits, we can create more affordable, walkable, bikeable and less car-dependent neighbourhoods. This promotes healthier, more active lifestyles. Developing within our existing city limits supports small, local businesses, vibrant neighbourhoods and healthier citizens – for today and decades to come.

Local growing regions are crucial to our food security. Only 7.3% of Canada is farmable land, and most of that prime agricultural land is located right here in Southern Ontario. And yet, 175 acres of Ontario farmland are lost every day to urban development.

We must keep the remaining farmland to family farms, agricultural employment, local food security, as well as farmland-adjacent watersheds, wildlife habitat, conservation areas and public recreation spaces.

He rapidly growing southern Ontario population badly needs this green space.