Local residents will be taking part in pop-up rallies to protest the provincial government’s More Homes Faster Act — otherwise known as Bill 23 — and what they are calling “Greenbelt land grabs.”
The province has said the purpose of Bill 23 is to increase the housing supply throughout Ontario and to achieve the province’s goal of building 1.5 million homes within the next 10 years.
However, some local groups are concerned the proposed legislation won’t provide the affordable housing needed in the province, but rather will “rip up the Greenbelt, pave over wetlands and encourage sprawl around our communities," according to the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition.
Locally, a demonstration is planned for 11 a.m., Friday, at Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson’s Alliston constituency office beginning at 11 a.m., and his Stayner office on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 2-3 p.m.
Protests are also scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 19 at Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey’s constituency office, located in Barrie at 20 Bell Farm Rd., from 1-2 p.m.
On Sunday, Nov. 20, rallies are scheduled to begin at Orillia MPP Jill Dunlop’s West Street South office starting at 10 a.m., followed by a rally from 11 a.m. until noon at the Midland Public Library on King Street.
A demonstration is also planned for Saturday, Nov. 26 beginning at 11 a.m. at Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin’s south-end office at 237 Mapleview Dr. E.
A rally is also set to take place at York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney’s office in Holland Landing on Sunday, Nov. 27 from 1:30-3 p.m.
Editor's note: This story has been updated from the original version to correct the date of the demonstration at MPP Khanjin's constituency office.
