I am a millennial who is…

I am a millennial who is working full time and an above average household income for Ontario. I cannot afford to buy a house in Toronto, where I live. While I want and would benefit from more affordable housing, I do not want to give up any more natural areas unnecessarily to do so and I oppose these proposed changes. This bill is not the answer to addressing the housing crisis.

These natural spaces, including wetlands, are critical to my future along with so many other Ontarians. They provide critical functions such as clean air, clean water, flood mitigation, soil health, buffers the impacts of climate change, etc. Removing protection for these critical ecosystems, puts all of us in further danger.

It is unconscionable that this Provincial government would pit the housing crisis against the environment. This is not a scientifically sound proposal and I do not trust this government to make decisions that are in the best interest of the people of this province.

I don't need to repeat what several others have said about the problems with the proposed Bill 23:

Environmental Defence: https://environmentaldefence.ca/2022/10/31/ontarios-housing-bill-is-act…

Ontario Nature: https://ontarionature.org/campaigns/bill-23/

Credit Valley Conservation Authority: https://cvc.ca/news/proposed-changes-in-bill-23-limit-the-role-of-conse…

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority: https://www.rvca.ca/media-releases/bill-23-less-protection-more-cost-di…

Hamilton Conservation Authority: https://conservationhamilton.ca/dear-premier-ford-lets-reconsider-bill-…

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority: https://trca.ca/news/trca-response-more-homes-built-faster-act-proposed…

and the list goes on.

I want a future in my home province and removing environmental protections and weakening environmental legislation is only going to hurt it.