As Ontario citizens, we have…

As Ontario citizens, we have many concerns with the proposal to weaken protections and remove lands from the Greenbelt. We do not think these amendments should proceed.

Firstly, we are in a climate emergency. Threatening and removing land dedicated for green spaces decreases both our capacity to absorb the increasing effects of climate change (such as flooding and extreme weather events) and also the capacity of our already strained ecosystem to absorb greenhouse gases. Secondly, once land is developed, it is very unlikely that it will ever be returned to nature. As a result, removing land now threatens the natural heritage of Ontario and the nature that future generations will be able to enjoy. This is an irresponsible and short term act for a government to be taking. Thirdly, 78 species at risk live in the Greenbelt. These species are dealing with enough already: further taking away their land could result in their extinction. Fourthly, these amendments being proposed in conjunction with a string of other attacks on environmental protections will weaken the capacity of the public to meaningfully participate in consultations or protest the changes.

Additionally, the proposal to add Paris Galt Moraine area and 13 Urban River Valley to the greenbelt to compensate the land being lost is practically useless, given that these lands were already protected.