'We want hands off the Greenbelt': Protestors in Cambridge rally against Bill 23
Protesters in Cambridge joined others across the province Saturday in an effort to push back against provisions in Ontario’s new housing plan which will remove sections of protected land from the Greenbelt to build homes.
“We want hands off the Greenbelt,” Jenna Quinn with Waterloo Region Nature Club said. “The Greenbelt is set aside for a specific reason and we want to make sure it stays that way.”
The Ford government is proposing to remove 15 different areas, totalling around 7,400 acres from the Greenbelt.
The province's 30-day consultation period wraps up at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 4. Once it has closed, the government will decide on how to proceed with removing or redesignating the 15 areas of land.
A spokesperson for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing said the government plans to add additional lands to the Greenbelt elsewhere and there is clear criteria in the bill to ensure a 2,000 acre expansion could be achieved.
“It is the government’s expectation that should these lands be removed from the Greenbelt, construction of these new homes will begin on these lands by no later than 2025, and that significant progress on approvals and implementation be achieved by the end of 2023. Proponents would still be required to get the necessary approvals to ensure adequate environment protection before any construction could begin,” government spokesperson Chris Poulos said in an emailed statement.
A map provided by the Ontario government shows what areas of the greenbelt will be removed and added.
Critics of the plan say while new land is being added to offset Greenbelt losses, development in the protected areas will irrevocably harm the environment communities rely on.
“We're in a dual crisis right now around the globe – biodiversity loss and climate change. And we need to do everything that we can to make sure that we have a safe planet for future generations,” Quinn said.
Another demonstrator, Kaie Elgie said she’s keeping her family in mind as activists promise to keep fighting the plan to carve up the Greenbelt.
“I care about the environment we are leaving for my grandchildren so I will be back,” Elgie said.
More rallies are planned in several communities in the region Sunday including in Guelph at 11 a.m. and Elora at 1 p.m. Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner will be in attendance at both.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it's too late
Christine Roess is a retired consultant. Ezra Bozeman has spent the last 49 years in prison, serving a life sentence for a murder he says he didn’t commit. Against the odds, the two fell in love.