For
immediate release:
February 21, 2005
Haldimand/Brant
targeted for ‘Greater Golden Horseshoe’ growth plan
Government ‘Places
to Grow’ points to Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant riding
Queen’s Park –
MPP Toby Barrett expressed concern that government is predicting 4-million
new residents to the “Greater Golden Horseshoe” (GGH)- an
area that includes half of the Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant riding.
Haldimand and Brant Counties
have been included as part of the GGH in the Liberal ‘Places to
Grow’ Draft Growth Plan. ‘Places to Grow’ is a planning
program to help manage a government forecasted influx of 4-million people
over the next 30 years. Barrett is encouraging area residents to have
their say on the planning document.
“Many in my area may
not know that at least half the riding has been lumped into the Greater
Golden Horseshoe for planning purposes,” said Barrett. “As
government has now turned it’s head in our direction, it’s
important that we let them know our views on population growth and planning
while we have their attention.”
Those interested can obtain
the Draft Growth Plan online at www.pir.gov.on.ca; by calling toll-free
1-866-479-9781 or contacting MPP Barrett’s Simcoe office at 519-428-0446
(toll-free1-800-903-8629). Comments and feedback should be directed to:
Draft Growth Plan for the Greater
Golden Horseshoe,
Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Renewal
Ontario Growth Secretariat
777 Bay St., 16th Floor
Toronto, ON
M5G 2E5
The deadline for submissions
is April 18th.
According to the government
‘Places to Grow’ document, currently, almost two-thirds of
Ontario residents live in the GGH – by 2031 over 70 per cent of
the province’s population will be living on the same land.
“I question the wisdom
of an additional 4 million arriving in the Greater Golden Horseshoe,”
Barrett noted.
‘Places to Grow’
indicates over half the land in the GGH is ‘prime agricultural land,”
said Barrett. “That’s a lot of garbage and a lot of water
pollution for our largely rural areas.”
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For more information
please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 416-325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629
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