As a resident of Ontario, I…

As a resident of Ontario, I am not in favour of this proposed amendment to the Green Belt Plan for the following reasons:

1. It does nothing to actually address the housing AFFORDABILITY crisis. We should be investing in creating denser neighbourhoods and supporting infrastructure that is already in place, rather than continuing to encourage urban sprawl. I would like to see money invested in building more co-ops and apartment buildings, incentives to building up the missing middle housing, and sustainable buildings and neighbourhoods.

2. I am extremely concerned about climate change and the impact that it is having on Ontario and the world. I am also very concerned about the reduction of agricultural lands. If we can't sustain access to healthy food and environments, then what good is building new housing? Affordable housing should be considered in relation to the protection and sustainability of our land and resources.

3. The way this proposal and Bill 23 have been approached is a threat to our democracy. Mr. Ford and Mr. Clark, have repeatedly said that they will not touch the Greenbelt. Polls have shown that the majority of Ontarians support the Greenbelt (https://www.greenbelt.ca/public_polling). There is no justification for this proposal now.

I urge our elected representatives to reject this proposed amendment.