Thread by @ecojustice_ca

BREAKING: We’re taking the Ontario government to court on behalf of @envirodefence for its attempt to hack away at the Greenbelt near Hamilton. We’ve launched this case because @fordnation and his gov continue to squash local democracy with moves like #Bill23. A thread 👇 1/

In November 2022, the Ontario government announced it was changing Hamilton’s official plan to expand the city’s boundary by 2,200 hectares and encroach into farmland and wild spaces that are part of the Greenbelt. This goes against the direct wishes of the people of Hamilton. 2/

An official plan is a land use planning document that guides and shapes development and is used to ensure that future planning development balances social, economic, and environmental interests of the community. 3/

City officials, planners, & the people who call #HamOnt home, worked collaboratively to produce an official plan that was sustainable & put a hold on expanding the urban boundary of the city. But @fordnation & his gov have ignored this. bit.ly/3CupKxx @HamCityMagazine 4/

The province is attempting to use the housing crisis as a cover for its actions, but the agenda being pushed through by @fordnation will promote high-cost, car-centered development instead of affordable, sustainable homes needed in Ontario. 5/

What is happening in Hamilton is part of a wider agenda by the Ontario government to sell off parts of the Greenbelt and slash environmental oversight. Late last year, the province rammed through Bill 23 that made detrimental changes to Ont. planning law. 6/

We’re going to court because @fordnation and his gov should not be allowed to sell off the Greenbelt, promote urban sprawl, and trample on local democracy to enrich a handful of private developers. Read more about our case here 👇 bit.ly/3X3DgAI 7/

Wow! Thank you to everyone sharing this widely and asking how else they can help! You can donate what you can to support us in this fight here 👉 bit.ly/3IzXZr8

If you're not able to donate at the moment, that’s OK — we appreciate your support and engagement!