Local leaders and citizens stand united against Bill 23

February 10, 2023

GUELPH — Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement after visiting Huntsville, Picton and Hamilton to talk to citizens and municipal leaders about the negative impacts of Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act.

“I’ve spent the past week speaking with community members, councillors and municipal leaders across the province, listening to their concerns about the disastrous impacts of Bill 23 – from its expensive pro-sprawl agenda to its threats to conservation authorities, farmlands, wetlands and our Greenbelt.

These are crucial conversations to be having, because people and municipalities are the ones who will pay the price for the Ford government’s regressive housing policies and attacks on environmental protections.

From Muskoka to Prince Edward County to Hamilton, the consensus has been clear. Bill 23 will not solve the housing affordability crisis. In fact, it is going to make it worse – impeding municipalities’ ability to build affordable, connected communities where people can be close to work and the services they need.

Local leaders know that we can build the housing we need within existing urban boundaries.

They know that our farmlands and wetlands provide vital environmental and economic benefits to our province.

And they know that conservation authorities make our communities stronger, safer and more prepared for the future.

Everyone, from housing experts to the government’s own Housing Affordability Task Force, has made it clear that sprawling onto the Greenbelt is not necessary to build the 1.5 million homes Ontario needs.

Yet Ford continues to bulldoze ahead with a plan that’s designed to help a handful of wealthy land speculators turn millions into billions.

As Ontario’s Premier, Doug Ford should be listening to local leaders, not land speculators. And local leaders have been crystal clear: they want real leadership on the housing crisis, and they want Bill 23 repealed.”

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