Ford government forcing costly sprawl on Waterloo region

April 13, 2023

QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to news that the Ford government has amended the Waterloo region’s official plan to expand its urban boundaries.

“This government is riding roughshod over decades of responsible regional planning to impose a destructive sprawl agenda that will only make the housing crisis worse.

People cannot afford sprawl. Municipalities cannot afford to service sprawl.

And expensive sprawl shouldn’t be the only housing option for young people and newcomers to this province.

Everyone – from planning experts to the government’s own housing task force – has been crystal clear that there is more than enough land approved for development within existing boundaries to build the homes people can afford – in communities where they want to live, work and play.

And still the Ford government continues to overturn local decision-making in a dangerous scheme that paves over critical farmlands and wetlands already in short supply.

If this government truly cared about making housing more affordable, they would step up and admit that we can’t sprawl our way out of the housing crisis.
Instead, they’re bulldozing ahead with a sprawl agenda that benefits wealthy land speculators while making life more expensive for people and communities alike.

Ontario Greens will continue to stand up for homes, people and planet by pushing for homes you can afford in communities you want to live in”

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