GREENBELT UPDATE

Auditor General's Report 09/08/2023

By now, most everyone is familiar with the outcome of the Auditor General's six-month investigation into the provincial government's decision to open protected Greenbelt lands up to housing development and claims that this is necessary to address the housing needs. 

Bonnie Lysyk's report found the process favored developers and failed to consider environmental, agricultural, and financial risks and impacts. Now that a report shows the provincial government's flawed and biased dealings, Ontarians want to know what will be done next.

Premiere Ford publically announced that the government accepts "in principle" 14 of the 15 recommendations Lysyk made and would implement them. The recommendation the provincial government would disregard is Lysyk's request to re-evaluate the process of changing the Greenbelt's boundaries. 

Environmental Defence requests an OPP investigation into the relationship between the provincial government and the development industry, the return of all lands removed from the Greenbelt, and more robust legislation to ensure this never happens again. 

Join us and many citizens, groups, and leaders across Ontario that view the provincial government's actions as unbecoming of elected officials and behavior needs to be accountable. 

Please sign and share the Environmental Defence: Demand an OPP Investigation! https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/133516/action/1?ea.url.id=6528681

For anyone that missed reading the Auditor General Special Report on Changes to the Greenbelt

https://www.auditor.on.ca/en/content/specialreports/specialreports/Greenbelt_en.pdf

Environmental Defence Blog 18/08/2023

Protecting Ontario’s environment - WHAT’S NEXT AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO STOP THE DESTRUCTION OF FARMS, FORESTS AND WETLANDS IN THE GREENBELT AND BEYOND?
https://environmentaldefence.ca/2023/08/18/whats-next-as-we-work-together-to-stop-the-destruction-of-farms-forests-and-wetlands-in-the-greenbelt-and-beyond/

CBC Article 22/08/2023

Ontario housing minister's chief of staff resigns amid Greenbelt controversy

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-housing-amato-resigns-1.6944225
 

HANDS OFF THE GREENBELT SIGNS

As part of the ongoing efforts to repeal Bill 23, stop Greenbelt development, and protect ecologically sensitive land and water from degradation and destruction, Environmental Defence has launched a province-wide sign campaign to increase awareness, consideration, and conversation.

About The Signs

The Coroplast lawn signs are 24″ x 16″ and double-sided. One side reads ‘Save Ontario’s Farms, Forests & Wetlands’ the other side reads ‘Hands Off The Greenbelt!’

The Hands Off signs are available at no charge. A donation at the time of pick-up would be greatly appreciated. All funds donated go to Environmental Defence and will help pay for more signs and associated conservation efforts.

Note: We have limited sign quantities available with hopes of getting more signs if requests surpass our stock amounts.

Bancroft Area

Think Turtle Conservation Initiative is the volunteer sign supplier in the Bancroft area. If you would like a ‘Hands Off’ sign, please call/text 647-606-9537, e-mail thinkturtle@yahoo.com, or send a message through Facebook to arrange pick-up.

Not in the Bancroft Area

If you are not in the Bancroft area and would like to request a Hands Off sign, you can obtain one through the Environmental Defence website at:

https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/118653/petition/1 ea.tracking.id=hubpagebox.

Environmental Defence 

If you would like to make an online donation to Environmental Defence for signs and other conservation initiatives they are involved in, go to: https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/120570/donate/1

Thank you to the Environmental Defence Team for launching this vital sign campaign that enables Ontarian's to have their voices heard as we strive to protect Ontario’s natural heritage for our generation and future generations.