'We want hands off the Greenbelt': Protestors in Cambridge rally against Bill 23

Protesters in Cambridge joined others across the province Saturday in an effort to push back against provisions in Ontario’s new housing plan which will remove sections of protected land from the Greenbelt to build homes.

Protesters in Cambridge joined others across the province Saturday in an effort to push back against provisions in Ontario’s new housing plan which will remove sections of protected land from the Greenbelt to build homes.

“We want hands off the Greenbelt,” Jenna Quinn with Waterloo Region Nature Club said. “The Greenbelt is set aside for a specific reason and we want to make sure it stays that way.”

The Ford government’s Bill 23, also known as the ‘More Homes Built Faster Act’ includes Greenbelt land swaps to build new homes.

The legislation, which passed Monday, identifies 15 sites for development within what is currently Greenbelt protected land.

“Although it has been passed, we still have hope that we can have some effect on the regulations or even maybe have a repeal of the bill,” said demonstrator Colleen Cooper.

A spokesperson for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing said the government plans to add additional lands to the Greenbelt elsewhere and there is clear criteria in the bill to ensure a 2,000 acre expansion could be achieved.

“It is the government’s expectation that should these lands be removed from the Greenbelt, construction of these new homes will begin on these lands by no later than 2025, and that significant progress on approvals and implementation be achieved by the end of 2023. Proponents would still be required to get the necessary approvals to ensure adequate environment protection before any construction could begin,” government spokesperson Chris Poulos said in an emailed statement.