The Greenbelt is the largest…

The Greenbelt is the largest intact patch of near-urban nature and agricultural land on the planet. 84% of Ontarians consider it a source of pride.

It provides amazing ecosystem services like provisioning of food, habitat for wildlife, and flood reduction. The Greenbelt was designed with connectivity in mind, adding urban ravines (which are already protected by other means) does not make up for the fragmentation of habitats. The Greenbelt hosts OMFARA Class 1 soils which are rare/precious and FAR more valuable to the farmers who keep Ontarians fed, than housing.

Low-density development, and sprawl, like the ones that would result from developing the Greenbelt, do not work. They do not have the population to support their own services. Infill is a FAR more productive means of creating housing. Developing the Greenbelt will only lead to higher taxes for homes owners.

A number of groups have come out against the proposed changes, and the provincial government's own task force on affordable housing stated the lack of available land isn't the cause of the housing crisis. The list of those with serious concerns include: Ontario Nature, Gravel Watch Ontario, Bruce Trail Conservancy, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Canadian Environmental Law associations, the AMO, and Ontario's Big City Mayors. Even members of the Progressive Conservative provincial government were initially publicly against developing the Greenbelt (including Premier Ford, and Minister Steve Clarke)! This list if far from exhaustive.

No one is saying that there isn't a housing crisis. There certainly is, and it's one that has affected me and the people in my life, however, this Omnibus bill, including, and specifically the proposed amendment to the Greenbelt Plan do not address this issue. The cognitive dissonance required to make the argument that this proposed amendment will help housing is akin to saying if you lose weight you'll run faster, so you had better cut off your legs.

I seriously hope the numerous concerns raised by countless Ontarians outweigh the potential earnings of a few developers, and this amendment is not passed.