This is a duplicitous…

This is a duplicitous proposal that directly counters Doug Ford's promise to protect the Greenbelt, albeit, after his initial pre-election proposal to open it to developers was met with outrage. Naturally, this doesn't come as a surprise, just more proof that the provincial Conservatives are not at all interested in doing what is actually in the best interest of Ontarians, now or in the future.

Effectively opening the Greenbelt to developers and weakening the legislation currently in place to protect prime agricultural land, clean air, and drinking water is a dangerous game. When any intelligent, progressive government should be making strides to conserve natural capital in order to protect ecosystem services and increase resiliency in the face of climate change, Bill 66 would set us on track for the complete opposite.

Living in a port city with a strong manufacturing industry, I am already very concerned about air and water quality, particularly in the summer months. If the Ford government gets its way, any improvements that have been made in recent years are at risk of being undone.

With changes in the manufacturing industry and shifts in population growth, there are ample opportunities to reclaim and remediate existing brownfields, former industrial lands, and countless vacant properties in ways that would be in line with smart, ecologically sensitive developments that will strengthen local economies, protect valuable resources, offer food security, climate change resiliency, and countless other benefits.

The Greenbelt is one of our greatest assets, and allowing development within its boundaries is unacceptable.