Letter sent to Regional councillors regarding urban expansion
On February 9th you will make a crucial decision about the future of Halton Region, determining the quality of life here for the next 30 years. We are asking you to vote NO to any urban boundary expansion. Protecting what remains of Halton’s precious farmland is more important than ever. According to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario lost 1.5 million acres to urban development between 1996 and 2016 — a loss of 175 acres of farmland each day. Not only does Ontario’s farmland feed cities, they have dramatic potential to sequester carbon, protect biodiversity and other essential climate change benefits. We cannot afford to keep paving over vital farmland and natural heritage with costly and unsustainable development. Young people and other home-seekers are increasingly demanding homes built within existing urban areas, closer to work, amenities and public transit. The Ontario NDP supports the development of “complete communities,” where people have equitable access to homes, ...