ERO Filing RE: Greenbelt…

ERO Filing

RE: Greenbelt Land swamps and Take outs

I am writing to express grave concerns about the proposed changes to the Greenbelt that will completely destroy the integrity, structure and entire purpose of the Greenbelt.

It will unleash such a land speculation gold rush that a bill designed for Housing affordability will instead drive farmers off our farmland and ensure that only a privilege few will ever able to be able to afford a house or land in massive part of our province.

Previous provincial governments have upheld the integrity and permanent planning intentions of the Greenbelt by refusing hundreds of take out requests and making it clear that the Greenbelt was permanent protections designed to last for generations.

Even in my own Waterloo Region (that is also about to be destroyed) it has been made clear for deacades that our growth will be focused in our urban cities with our four rural townships remaining rural. With such clear expectations and long-term planning we have not seen the level of land speculation and foreign purchases of vast tracts of land by investment companies hoping for development that our neighbouring counties and regions have seen.

Instead, our farmers have invested in the land knowing that it will be there for future generations and as a result not only are our farms the most profitable per acre in Canada but we enjoy an incredible quality of life with local farmers markets, farm gate sales and almost everyone in our region living only minutes from the countryside. It is unique in Canada and likely the world yet is one of the prime drivers of the quality of life we enjoy.

I urge you to uphold the integrity of the Greenbelt and ensure there is a clear message that these lands are permanently protected for future generations. Once the integrity is shattered with takeouts and destruction the floodgates are open and no matter whatever criteria is set, governments will be overrun with requests for land removals in a continual onslaught that is to nobodies benefit but a few lucky land speculators and comes at huge cost to the greater public good and the sustainable future we are going to need for climate change.

Please do not allow these proposed changes to proceed. Learn from the examples of thriving, sustainable, and affordable communities, land, and food elsewhere before destroying our Greenbelt for unsustainable urban sprawl and ever increasing food prices and food insecurity.