I am writing to object…

I am writing to object strongly to the proposed amendments to the Greenbelt Plan by the provincial government that aims to remove key lands from the greenbelt and that undermines conservation efforts to ensure sustainable growth. The greenbelt was established with the following critical goals for the province:

(1) protect the prosperity of Ontario by preventing loss of farmland and natural heritage, and to provide fresh air, clean water, and environmentally friendly locally grown produce
(2) restrict wasteful urban sprawl to focus urban development into efficient environmentally friendly high density developments close to where people need to live and must work
(3) ensure access to natural resources that enhance the quality of life, and provide for outdoor recreation and tourism

The proposal falsely claims to address the housing affordability crisis. It promotes wasteful low density urban sprawl and degrades communities. Urban sprawl has “immediate consequences for people and communities by increasing congestion, making housing unaffordable, increasing debt, and degrading the environment of the surrounding area. Urban sprawl typically increases taxes and the cost of living while decreasing the quality of life, equality levels and the health of communities.”

The Ontario government failed to maintain a promise to not open the Greenbelt lands and instead attacks a key natural resource that is needed to sustain the province in the future. The proposed amendments to the greenbelt plan must not be approved.