I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 66.

Now, more than ever, we need to safeguard and protect our farmlands, wetlands, forests and other sensitive areas. Bill 66 goes in the completely opposite direction. After decades of work by many to protect the environment, instead of continuing in this imperative direction, Bill 66 would allow municipalities to pass by-laws to get around crucial protection plans, such as the Greenbelt Plan, and the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, to allow new development. These plans were made to protect the environment, conserve our resources for our future and are highly regarded by most Ontario residents.

Farmland is precious and in very limited supply. In Ontario, we are blessed with the fertile lands below the Canadian Shield. Every day, living in Durham Region, I witness more and more of this precious arable farmland and accompanying woodlots being eaten up by sprawling development. These lands are needed for our food supply both now and in the future and we cannot get it back once it has gone. Development has to be reined in here to protect farm land and forest. Bill 66, however, is both wrong and foolish as it enables the bypassing of safeguards that were set to protect these very lands.

Ontario is also blessed with the beautiful Oak Ridges Moraine - a sensitive area extremely important to safe water supply and natural heritage and it needs protection from development. it also provides much natural habitat and recreational enjoyment for many.

All of Ontario's forests and wetlands need protection from development. They provide habitat for wildlife, including many sensitive species and clean our air and water. They, too, are precious resources in short supply and we must protect them.

Ontario must be LIVEABLE. Unfortunately, Ontario is increasingly feeling less and less liveable, particularly in the GTA. There's too much concrete, too much traffic, too much development and not enough green space and open areas, and not nearly enough truly natural areas. Small subdivision parks, while helpful, are certainly no substitute for the ecosystems we see in large tracts of natural forests and wetlands.

The premier and government said during the election campaign that they would not open up the Greenbelt. I urge the government: do not open up the Greenbelt. Do not allow municipalities or others to go around the Greenbelt Act. Do not allow municipalities or others to get around the Oak Ridges Moraine Act and the other important protective Acts. PROTECT THE GREENBELT. PROTECT THE OAK RIDGES MORAINE, our water supply, our forests and wetlands.