November 23, 2022 Ministry…

November 23, 2022

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

RE: ERO Posting 019-6174 Proposed Revocation of the Central Pickering Development Plan

To Whom It May Concern,

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the above-mentioned Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) posting and the supporting document Central Pickering Development Plan, dated August 2012, commissioned by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

While we may agree that Ontario faces a housing supply and affordability challenge that necessitates the removal of barriers, our approaches and barriers differ.

Based on the following government statement, I do not support the government's proposed revocation of the Central Pickering Development Plan:

"The Plan has been successful in achieving its objective in setting out and implementing the framework for the establishment of a sustainable urban community in Seaton integrated with an agricultural community in the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve and a Natural Heritage System.

The City of Pickering official plan reflects the policies and mapping of the Plan, and the Region of Durham's official Plan defers to the Plan. In many areas, construction and build-out of the Plan is underway. As set out in the Central Pickering Development Plan, the intention is that the more detailed planning approvals (e.g., subdivision approvals, etc.) would be implemented by the City."

Why withdraw this Plan when, by the government's admission, its guiding principles are effective? The government's lack of justification for its intention to rescind the Plan is equally problematic.

The only information provided regarding possible causes comes from the press:

• Wealthy Ontario developer close to winning long battle to build homes on protected Greenbelt by Ryan Patrick Jones CBC News November 22, 2022, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/developer-greenbelt-pickering-1…
• "A smack in the face to the community": environmental groups rally in Pickering against Greenbelt development, Durham Radio News November 23, 2022, https://www.durhamradionews.com/archives/161840
• 'Hell no. We won't accept this.' More than 250 people rally in Pickering to protect the Greenbelt. Many groups in Durham are concerned about the potential impacts of Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act by Jillian Follert Pickering News Advertiser November 19, 2022, https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/10785416--hell-no-we-won-t-acce…
• Ford removing greenbelt lands in Pickering, Ajax and Clarington By Glenn Hendry Indurham November 7, 2022, https://www.insauga.com/ford-removing-greenbelt-lands-in-pickering-ajax…
The government's rush to enact these changes as part of Bill 23 under the mirage of More Homes Built Faster: Ontario's Housing Supply Action Plan: 2022-2023, with no time for public consideration and input, is troubling and necessitates a halt to all proceedings.

Imagine denying the Association of Municipalities of Ontario standing at the Committee hearings and forcibly removing a well-respected former Toronto Mayor and long-time environmental supporter, John Sewell, to prevent him from speaking. These actions unequivocally imply ulterior motives that may not be in the public's best interests.

The passage of Bill 23 and the potential revocation of the Central Pickering Development Plan are premature because more consultation with the public and its experts is warranted to find a balanced approach that provides additional housing while protecting the public's environmental and municipal rights.

Yours truly.