QUEEN’S PARK – MPP for Guelph, Mike Schreiner, released the following statement after rising in the House today to question the government’s plan to open up the Greenbelt to development.
“For the umpteenth time, the Premier’s government is misleading people with its plan to carve up the Greenbelt as a choice between building desperately needed housing and protecting the environment.
Thousands of people in communities across Ontario are attending rallies every weekend demanding that the Premier keep his promise not to touch the Greenbelt.
My question to the government was: will the Premier listen to the people or will he listen to land speculators who want to pave over the people’s Greenbelt?
In the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s response to my question today, the same tired talking points – the same false choice – were presented. As the government’s own Housing Affordability Task Force stated unequivocally the housing crisis is not caused by a shortage of land.
This weekend’s rallies prove that Ontarians aren’t buying what the Premier is trying to sell.
And it’s clear that this government is still intent on ensuring that its land speculator friends can turn their millions into billions rather than protecting a priceless public asset for current and future generations.”