As a southern Ontario …

As a southern Ontario (Canadian) citizen and taxpayer, I strongly oppose 019-6216 Proposed Amendments to the Greenbelt Plan, 019-6217 Proposed amendments to the Greenbelt Area boundary regulation, 019-6218 Proposed redesignation of land under the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and Bill 23.
Protected land must stay protected; urban sprawl is not the kind of housing Ontarians need or can afford. Ontario has already lost most of its wetlands (92% I believe); wetlands filter our water and prevent flooding - both of which are environmental services that we desperately need and must consider in every development proposal. The Oak Ridges Moraine protects the drinking water of millions of Ontarians. The Greenbelt protects habitat for keystone and species at risk; cools surrounding areas; filters the air we breathe and absorbs carbon dioxide and other pollutants; reduces Ontario's emissions and helps work towards climate goals we are committed to - and must meet if we are to slow the rapidly increasing climate change driven disasters. Municipalities and conservation authorities must keep their roles and authority.
The recent purchase of multiple parts of the Greenbelt that are in proposal 019-6216 by developers is inconceivable unless they knew that the designation of the lands was going to change. There is no other plausible explanation. This must be independently investigated - it is illegal and a staggering breach of trust.