Greenfield expansion will…

Greenfield expansion will only harm the future for Ontario. The vast majority of the GTA is zoned for single family residences, this should be the first priority for densification and new housing. Low density housing has higher social costs in terms of infrastructure and social costs. In terms of infrastructure, SFZ means that there are greater spaces in between each housing, necessitating cars, more roads, longer storm drains, sewer pipes, electrical lines, water lines, etc. The cost of up keep for this infrastructure can't be met by the tax revenue of the fewer residences they're serving. Further, there is a direct correlation between social isolation, mental health, and living in lower density communities. With fewer walkable amenities and gathering areas, people are more likely to stay inside. Along with this comes physical health issues related to staying in more and driving rather than biking. We're already in the midst of a collapse of our healthcare system, so doubling down on a social structure that exasperates these conditions is a foolish endeavour.

These problems are coupled with the even more catastrophic issues surrounding paving wetlands and farm land. The government may not want to acknowledge it (particularly given how much it ignored the storms that battered Eastern Ontario the past summer), but we are on the verge of a climate catastrophe. Wetlands are natural outlets for flooding; there is a wealth of scientific proof that they are some of the best resources to prevent flooding in areas. Couple this with the fact that paved surfaces worsen storm conditions due to convection (proof of which coming from Tornado conditions in Dallas' expansive suburbs). Who is going to pay for the future cost of insuring these homes when they are inevitably flooded? Further, as drought continues to drive the cost of food coming from places like California, the short sighted policy of destroying the best farmland in the country will likely drive up costs further for the average Ontarians,

I shouldn't need to explain this. You know, I know it, the government knows it. Mattamy Homes' donations to Ontario Proud have made the agenda for this government painfully clear.

STOP THIS POLICY OF SHORTING OUR FUTURE FOR SHORT TERM GAINS OF THE WEALTHY. LEAVE THE GREEN BELT ALONE.

If you want to target housing prices, target capital gains from multiple housing, airbnb, foreign buyers, and subsidize projects that put density on transit lines (also build new transit).