Four years ago, Doug Ford's…

Four years ago, Doug Ford's plans to carve up the Greenbelt had to be scrapped in the face of overwhelming public opposition. At that time, he said: “The people have spoken. We won’t touch the Greenbelt. That’s it.”

What has changed? Doug Ford claims immigration is forcing us to build on the Greenbelt. But where is the data? How is building homes on prime agricultural and environmentally sensitive lands supposed to help with affordable housing? These will not be affordable homes. They will contribute to sprawl, cause flooding, and endanger species among many other things.

We don’t have to choose between protecting the environment we love and building the housing we desperately need. Urban sprawl is an environmental and economic disaster. We need to build homes where people need to live – near transit and shops, where they can work and play without the soul-crushing commutes that steal their time with loved ones. We need to build walkable communities so that precious land isn't taken up by highways and sprawl.

On behalf of this and future generations, I urge you to withdraw the proposal to build on the Greenbelt. It’s the right thing to do.