On January 15, 2019 the Ford government proposed changes to the Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan with more than 100 changes to the rules that govern how cities can grow.
The government argues that these proposed changes will help increase the affordable housing supply. Many have already noted these changes are regressive, including Victor Doyle (former Planning Manager, Ministry of Municipal Affairs), CATCH, Urban Toronto, Tim Gray and Susan Lloyd Swail of Environmental Defence to name just a few. The proposed changes will reduce density requirements, remove land needs assessment processes, and allow municipalities to expand settlement boundaries into rural areas.
It gobbles up agricultural land and results in
higher transit and infrastructure costs.
The deadline to comment on the proposed changes to the Growth Plan is February 28, 2019.
There is no need for these changes. Government data and the Neptis Foundation confirm that there is more than enough land designated for development within cities and towns to meet the needs of expected population growth until 2041.
As in the case of Bill 66’s Schedule 10 “Open for Business” zoning bylaw, this move leads to cutting regulations that support wise planning, protection of farmland and natural heritage areas, clean water and transit-centered communities.
Join us for our 2 session Teach-In to learn more about the proposed changes to the Growth Plan, how to submit your comments via the Environmental Registry and to gain insight into tools to protect farmland and innovative ways to help new farmers access land.
CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019
Langford Schoolhouse, 1694 Colborne St. E, Brantford, 6:30 pm
- Proposed Changes to the Growth Plan – Joan Telfer Faux, Ella Haley, Better Brant
- Land Protection Tools – Heather Reid, Ontario Farmland Trust
- Bonus! Accessing Farmland Meet & Greet, New Farmer/Landowner Mixer
IN PARIS: Monday, Feb 25, 2019
St Paul’s United Church, 48 Broadway St. W, Paris 6:30 pm
- Panel: Responding to Proposed Changes to the Growth Plan
- Heather Reid, Ontario Farmland Trust
- Victor Doyle, former Planning Manager, Ministry of Municipal Affairs
- Cathy McMaster, OFA Director Hamilton-Wentworth
- Tools to Help New Farmers Access Farmland – Ayla Fenton, Young Agrarians
- Bonus! Accessing Farmland Meet & Greet, New Farmer/Landowner Mixer
Please join us in Paris!
Contact info@betterbrant.ca , call Ella 226-802-2801 or visit @BetterBrant on Facebook to RSVP or for more information.
We will be asking you to donate what you can to help offset our costs.
