I am shocked at the decision…

I am shocked at the decision to reopen the protections of the Greenbelt legislation in the province. This was never part of the government's mandate or expressed intent during the campaign, it seems deceptive and very ill advised to me, because of the precedent it will surely set for future erosion of the protections provided. In an era of climate change and our country's commitments to "do out part", it seems extremely short sighted on the part of the province of Ontario to be rolling back such protections rather than making needed increases in protection.

The issue of affordable housing is something I too feel passionately about and have advocated for at all levels of government for a number of years. However, this legislation's seems to me to be a short sighted, partial, and ill advised solution that I oppose in the strongest terms. I believe the province should seek to transform the way municipalities and province collectively provide direction and regulation for needed development in our communities with a clear focus on building sustainable and liveable communities which include a rich supply of affordable housing. Regarding environmental sustainability of strategies to provide more housing to those who need it, this will mean at a minimum a) containing urban sprawl by intensifying (more concentrated) urban development as always a first commitment, and much more strongly restricting encroachment on rural lands; b) creating more liveable communities that are designed for mixed residential housing including services and essential businesses within walkable distances, and linked with robust transit access: c) empowering local solutions through strong municipal processes around development, well resourced by the province; d) supporting creative housing development and strengthening the livability and economies of our rural communities as a place to live and thrive; e) much more realistic and stronger regulation and direction and incentives provided to the development industry to support strategies to meet our global climate commitments in the area of housing.

I am concerned about the future welfare of my children, and my children's children, and it is time all of us have thought for the generations that follow. Please do not proceed with this legislation. I beg you to reconsider removing these protections, and instead seek ways to strengthen the protections of the Greenbelt. For housing, there are many many priorities left unaddressed by your Ministry that would much better address the crisis we face, and I would be happy to support and participate in any number of these.