re: Greenbelt Plan I am…

re: Greenbelt Plan

I am opposed to any changes to the existing green belt in Ontario. The specific areas are protected for a reason. Simply including other lands, to replace whatever land the government wants to use demonstrates a deeply concerning LACK of understanding about what the green belt actually does. It is not simply about protecting a certain number of acres of land, it is about protecting specific areas of land because of the unique attributes they possess, that allow Ontarian's to be more resilient today and as Ontarian's increasingly experience more personally the impact of the Climate Crisis in our daily lives.

It is essential that the Ontario government demonstrate long-term planning, and recognize the negative impact that change to the green belt will have on all of us in the next few year. Ontario was once a LEADER for Canada in addressing challenges coming with the Climate Crisis, demonstrating how Canadians can act efficiently, economically and socially to be able to mitigate the impact and also how to effectively adapt in instances where it is already too late to mitigate, the risks to our health, our livelihoods, and our natural world. We have fallen to last place. Other provinces, yes, even Alberta who has embraced renewable wind and solar energy, are now far ahead. Ontario's policies continue to move our province backwards, where others are accelerating ahead and creating jobs, healthy environment and safe housing. Ontario looks like a province with its head in the sand.

There are clear alternatives to dismantling our green belt. Even though I live in a city, I recognize that intensification of our cities, within our already defined city boundaries, for housing is the prudent, informed approach. Do not change the green belt. Work with Cities to make changes - hard as they will be EVERYONE will benefit, as the impact on our climate will so much less.