For your consideration: This…

For your consideration:

I am asking the Government of Ontario to please get rid of this proposal.
This proposal deeply worries me, as every single part of the greenbelt is important to Ontario's environment and local habitats. Offsetting that land can't fully replace what might become lost. These are ecosystems, farmlands, watersheds, etc. The erasure of the proposed areas will have a severe impact on our future. We are seeing more brutal environmental disasters every year, so it needs to become a priority to hold onto these protected green spaces. We need this land now more than ever to preserve our future.
On the "Redesignations/Removal Maps 1-11" supporting document provided, I find "Proposed Modifications Map 6" specifically deeply troubling. That is a very large area to completely remove, and I think there might be more environmental consequences than we are bargaining for if it is gone especially since it is so close to Duffins Creek and the Rouge Hill park area. A lot of species that are home to this area will most definitely also be displaced if we tear through it (or any other part of the greenbelt proposed for removal).

I fully acknowledge that infrastructure growth is important, however this proposal will only aid in increasing urban sprawl, which does have many downsides. One very small example is that owning a vehicle becomes a necessity when you live further outside of densified areas. Densification should be the priority before we even think to consider touching this precious greenbelt land. I think that the introduction of legislation to assist with changing bylaws to build more townhomes and apartments is really great (we need housing diversity!), but please let's work together to get that done on land we already have access to. We can better optimize what we already have.
Also, I do not fully believe that this amendment to the greenbelt will truly offer any relief for the cost of living crisis that Ontarians are feeling right now. The amount of housing we have could be a part of the problem, however the housing affordability problem is multi-faceted. So, I do not think that building into the greenbelt would fully address that.

Furthermore, I am worried that the removal of greenbelt land could result in an increase in flooding in our communities. What will happen if flooding becomes more common as a result of building on or beside watersheds? How would we be able to afford flooding as an environmental and financial cost?

I plead the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Government of Ontario and it's representatives to please reconsider this proposal. It's impact on our environment could be potentially devastating. Please consider bringing in conservation authorities to help with this proposal (and with Bill 23). Please also speak with Indigenous leaders and community members to hear what they have to say. Bring in the experts, so that we don't make any irreversible mistakes. Again, I support the idea of building different types of housing and densifying our cities and communities, but just not on greenbelt land.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,

A 25 yr old living in the GTA