NDP MPP Jeff Burch says the province's plan to use Greenbelt land for more housing is detrimental to the environment.
A local politician is calling out the Ford government over its plan to cut into the greenbelt.
Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch says the plan to remove over 7,000 acres of land is bad news for the environment.
"The Greenbelt is vital to keeping Ontario's watershed systems and environment healthy", Burch told the legislature today. "Without it, we will increase the risks of flooding, droughts and food security."
He also accused the province of making a deal with developers that have donated money to the Progressive Conservative.
"Developers like the RICE Group CEO, Michael Rice, and TACC Development’s CEO Silvio DeGasperis have donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Ontario PC Party. Four companies controlled by members of the DeGasperis family own 20 properties on the land this government is opening up for development."
Associate Housing Minister Michael Parsa responded by saying the move is being made to address the housing shortage.
Earlier this month, the province announced a plan to remove 7,400 acres of land from the area to accommodate more housing.
The province has said it will make up for the lost land by adding 9,400 acres to the Greenbelt, including a portion of the Paris Gait Moraine and 13 urban river valleys in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
The government has launched a 30-day consultation period on the proposed changes, and you can have your say here.
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