Whitby mayor has demanded that Ontario abandon plans to remove Durham lands from greenbelt protection, even as Pickering mayor voiced “concern”, and advocacy groups say residents are “outraged” and feel “betrayed” over the move.
A recent Auditor General’s special report on the Government of Ontario’s decision to remove 15 parcels of land from Greenbelt protection, includes Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (Drap) lands.
Stop Sprawl Durham and the Rouge Duffins Greenspace Coalition are insisting that the City of Pickering demand the return of Drap lands to Greenbelt protection.
“In response to the statement released by Mayor Ashe [on Friday] with regard to the Auditor General’s report, Stop Sprawl Durham and the Rouge Duffins Greenspace Coalition’s stance is that Pickering Council’s position is currently inadequate, and is not in line with the level of outrage and betrayal that constituents feel on this issue,” said the action groups’ statement.
“We are calling upon Mayor Kevin Ashe and Pickering Council to advocate for the return of the Drap lands to the Greenbelt as unanimously agreed to at their December 5, 2022 council meeting,” the statement added.
Fight for city’s best interests: Mayor Ashe
Earlier, Pickering Mayor Ashe, stated that the Auditor General’s report on the Government of Ontario’s site selection process has “raised a number of concerns that I share with my colleagues on council as well as many residents who have contacted our offices.
“While it is encouraging that the province will accept and implement almost all of the recommendations made in the Auditor General’s report, it has made it clear that development on Pickering lands will proceed. With this decision being imposed on us, we will vigorously fight for our city’s best interests,” said Mayor Ashe without elaborating whether he was in favor of the return of lands to Greenbelt protection or not.
“The Auditor General’s report underscored the need for the consideration of agricultural, environmental, and financial impacts related to these development decisions. As such, we need a clear, evidence-informed process that prioritizes these factors. We must ensure the necessary infrastructure, parks, and facilities are in place to support a high quality of life for both existing and new residents, and that all of the key stakeholders and agencies, as well as First Nations people, are consulted by the province during this process,” Mayor Ashe said.
He did demand that Pickering be made whole and that any future development of these lands pays for itself. “Neither the city nor its taxpayers should subsidize private interests… If the province proceeds with this development, the City of Pickering’s needs and concerns must be addressed in a meaningful and transparent manner,” Mayor Ashe added.
Leave the greenbelt alone: Mayor Roy
Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy said she shared the concerns raised by mayors and councillors across Ontario as well as many residents and advocacy groups following the release of the Auditor General’s special report.
“The decision to permanently remove protections from 15 parcels of Greenbelt land poses an environmental and agricultural threat and will not meaningfully contribute to meeting Ontario’s pressing housing needs. I join other mayors in calling on the Government of Ontario to abandon its plan to develop the Greenbelt,” she said.
The Town of Whitby continues to face significant infrastructure gaps, including the need for a new hospital and additional family physicians, and mental health supports. It is critical that the Government of Ontario address these gaps alongside initiatives to increase the housing supply, she pointed out.
“Findings from the Auditor General’s report indicate that the decision to remove lands from Greenbelt protection was biased, gave preferential treatment to certain developers, and did not include input from experts or affected parties,” Mayor Roy said. “The report finds there is no evidence that these lands are needed to meet the provincial government’s housing target.”
The lack of transparency around these decisions by the Government of Ontario has impacted public trust in all levels of government, said said adding that it is encouraging that the provincial government will accept and implement the majority of the recommendations outlined in the Auditor General’s report. However, this situation highlights the need to carefully and transparently consider the environmental, agricultural, and financial impacts of development and follow established best practices for land use planning.
“I thank the Auditor General for her work to bring these important issues to light and I stand with the many residents and elected officials who continue to advocate for the protection of the Greenbelt,” Mayor Roy added.
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