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Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to reports that the Ford government will extend the consultation period on the proposed Provincial Planning Statement following calls from agricultural organizations to protect prime farmland.

“Ontario farmers have taken a strong stance against this government’s plan to pave over prime farmland.

But contrary to Premier Ford’s claim that their concerns have been resolved, his government has yet to put forward a credible response to their calls.

Ontario has some of the best farmland in North America. But the Ford government’s sprawl-at-all-costs agenda puts it at risk of disappearing forever.

We can’t grow our $50-billion food and farming sector by paving over prime farmland. Full stop.

Fortunately, we can build the millions of homes Ontario needs within existing urban areas.

Everyone – from planning experts to the government’s own housing task force – has been clear that there is more than enough land approved for development within existing boundaries to build affordable homes in connected communities where people want to live, work and play.

Ontario Greens stand with farm leaders across the province fighting to protect our prime farmland.

I continue to call on the Ford government to walk back Bill 97 and the proposed Provincial Planning Statement, to permanently protect Ontario’s prime farmland, and to put forward real solutions to the housing crisis.”

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source: media release