The proposed Bill 23…

The proposed Bill 23 blatantly affirms that Doug Ford has mis-led to get re-elected (“the people have spoken - we won’t touch the Greenbelt”), and then attempts to justify his about-face with more non-facts - that we need this land for housing (the province’s own housing affordability task force states that there is no shortage of land)

As has been proven through the pandemic, outdoor greenspace is vital to the physical and mental wellbeing of the citizens of the province, as it is to all humans.

The Greenbelt has been established to permanently protect farmland and environmentally sensitive areas to deliver health, prosperity and climate resilience to Ontario’s residents.

Permanently means this land has been protected - secured in perpetuity, guarded with protections and safe from detrimental usage.
Permanently means off-limits to development.
Permanently does not allow for governments to take away from, or trade away certain acreages with a pledge to add other acreage elsewhere.
Permanently means for all time.

The government of the day has no moral authority to decree that permanence has another meaning.

If permanent no longer means perpetually, then nothing is safe in this province.
It’s no wonder the electorate is so cynical!

Yes, we need more housing, but there are lots of places to build. Intensification is the preferable way to provide this housing, and the only way to efficiently build and make cities work. More housing built on existing infrastructure is far preferable to more sprawl.

I’ve recently protested this proposed bill carrying signs that read:
- Doug Protection means: Secured/Guarded/Safe You Promised!
- where’s your INTEGRITY Mr. Premier

There were many engaged and concerned citizens present at these rallies, and at many rallies across the province.
We are all very concerned with this proposal, and are determined to see that the Ontario Government does not force these monumental changes on Greenbelt protection.