Backlash over Bill 23

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ABOVE THE FOLD

KILL BILL 23 — Housing Minister STEVE CLARK’s Bill 23 is chugging through the committee process — to both cheers and jeers.

The jeers: Environmental Defence and fellow Greenbelt advocates are protesting against the controversial legislation across the province starting today. They’ll also rally outside Premier DOUG FORD’s constituency office in Etobicoke on Friday.

At issue for the environmental advocates: “The rollback of forward-thinking municipal plans in Halton and Hamilton, and the removal of 7,400 acres of protected land from the Greenbelt to build sprawl.” (The PCs are swapping in another 9,400 acres.)

— Like most current mayors, a coalition of ex-mayors of Toronto aren’t happy about the rollback of development charges: “The More Homes Built Faster Act proposes to make changes which are a significant attack on municipal powers and finances, and we believe it needs a serious rethink,” reads a joint committee submission from DAVID CROMBIE, BARBARA HALL and JOHN SEWEL…