I am writing because I…

I am writing because I strongly oppose bill 23. I am an artist who lives in Toronto. Contrary to what bill 23 claims to be, it will not create the housing we need in Ontario--that is, housing in existing neighborhoods including much needed rental spaces and truly affordable places to live. Instead it will create more sprawl. The bill will allow the carving up of the greenbelt which is a betrayal of the Premier's promise not to do so. The bill is really a gift to enrich landowners who want to fill in the wetlands and develop them. If this happens, it will lead to flooding and further destruction of natural areas. It will not address the climate change crisis that is here and will be worsening over time. We need to be developing policies and putting into practice plans that will help us in the wake of the changes that have already begun happening. This bill will do the exact opposite and is being brought forward to benefit landowners and developers connected to the conservative party. The bill must not become law.