I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the government’s plans to remove lands from the Greenbelt. These lands were intended to be permanently protected in order to prevent future urban sprawl. It was designated after significant scientific study and extensive public consultation. I do not accept the argument that some parcels are being removed but are then being replaced by even more land. Some of that land is already protected (eg. river valleys), and no rationale has been provided to explain why those particular lands were chosen. By all means, add to the existing Greenbelt, but do not chip away at it. This creates a precedent that other developers are already trying to take advantage of.

I do not believe that unserviced Greenbelt land will solve the problem of unaffordable housing. Affordable housing needs to be built close to jobs, transit, and other services. We do not need even more cars travelling even greater distances producing even more GHG emissions. We do need more walkable communities, close to transit, with ample green spaces for healthier living.

Premier Ford repeatedly promised that his government wouldn’t touch the Greenbelt. He doesn’t need this land to built more affordable housing, so why is he breaking his promise? He is not listening to the people – he is betraying us.