The review of the Growth Plan and Conservation Plans is coming to a close.  I have written about it several times.  Last week shocking news was released; in addition to considering policy changes the Province has received 650 requests from developers and municipalities to remove lands from the Protected Countryside of the Greenbelt.  The number is shocking but also is the fact that the Province may make decisions to approve without quality public consultation; the public should not have to comb through the Environmental Registry to find requests in order to communicate concerns to the Province.

Here is map showing some (1/3) of the requests.  There are at least 20 requests from land owners in King Township to take 520 hectares out of the Protected Countryside.  (I say “at least” as only 1/3 of the requests have been reviewed.)

We are supposed to have a Greenbelt where our food is grown, where there are headwaters for rivers which ultimately are drinking water for 250,000 people. If the Province were to bow to the lobbying pressure being exerted by developers and some municipalities our Greenbelt map will look like swiss cheese!

If you value the Greenbelt its important that the Premier and Minister of Municipal Affairs ( Minister Mauro) hears from you.  You can be sure that they are hearing a lot of promises from the property owners about how their will be economic benefit by building houses and commercial spaces on that land.

Here is an email template for you to use. To write your own letter, Minister Mauro’s email is bmauro.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org; and to send a message to Premier Wynne go here.