I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed changes to the Ontario Heritage Act in Bill 23. I believe that they will result in the loss of many of Ontario’s heritage properties and landscapes but do little to improve the province’s housing supply.

I live in the Municipality of Port Hope, which is characterized by a natural landscape of deep ravines, tall trees, a winding river, and Lake Ontario views coupled with a built environment of fine 19th century commercial buildings, residences, churches, and country houses. Port Hope’s heritage assets - our remarkable Downtown Heritage Conservation Districts, our distinctive heritage properties and our cultural heritage landscapes - are essential to life in the community. They bring beauty, culture, vibrancy and economic prosperity. The conservation and adaptive reuse of these assets bring new living spaces without harming the environment.

With the proposed changes in Bill 23, however, Port Hope’s significant heritage resources could be eroded or lost entirely, and this will be true of the many historic towns, villages, and neighbourhoods throughout Ontario. Please don’t allow these changes to be enacted. So much of Ontario’s heritage will be lost, but little will be gained.

We all know that new, affordable housing is a necessity for Ontario. Why doesn’t Bill 23 focus on the most effective solutions for relieving the housing shortage such as increased density in cities and the adaptive reuse of large older buildings for housing? I live in an old Port Hope school that has been turned into a condominium building, and it is delightful.

Bill 23 will not solve the housing crisis, but the losses it causes will damage Ontario forever. This bill must be amended.