What is this Ministry's…

What is this Ministry's definition of Environmental Protection? Where is the evidence that Bill 66 will protect source waters, the Greenbelt, Oak Ridges Moraine, Lake Simcoe, and other farm and natural areas? How does Bill 66 protect these areas from chemicals, illegal dumps, and from shrinkage that this Bill will open these areas up to? No where in these proposals are environmental improvements made clear. How does a government and a Ministry make policies without research and evidence? That is how this Bill was drafted: without regard to the latest research and evidence from policymakers and scientists.

In fact, there is a plethora of studies and evidence that shows how public waters and lands, farms and other natural areas, will be detrimentally impacted when irresponsible policies like Bill 66 are implemented.

Provincial and municipal data show there is enough land already available in our towns and cities for our housing needs up to 2041. There is also a surplus of land for new businesses and we should be encouraging investment in these areas. By building within our existing towns and cities throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe we can increase the supply of affordable housing and jobs in our existing serviced communities while holding firm on urban boundaries.

Protected farmland supplies local food and enhances food security at a time when prices are rising and supplies from other countries are increasingly threatened. Farming is also economically important and provides jobs to thousands. Sprawl onto farmland destroys farm businesses and farm communities.

Water is critical to human survival. Opening areas that have been protected for the safety of our drinking water to development threatens our long term health and increases flood risks.

Natural areas provide habitat for wildlife, sequester carbon and mitigate climate change, provide recreation and clean our air.

Once gone, farmland and natural areas are gone forever. This is a travesty of a Bill.