Angus Beaty

An informed public is the foundation of a functioning democracy. My tweets have gotten longer as the #Greenbelt scandal has come to light, mostly because there is so much to talk about. But also because I have always seen this platform, even in its changing form, as a mechanism to provide a window into good urbanism, municipal policy and governance, and the foundations of a liveable future (yes all of that usually leads to a lot of tweeting about bikes and affordable housing). I’ve spent over 25 years advocating for the greenbelt, involved in research and policy development, and touting it on the world stage as foundational to our sustainable future. As Chief Planner I played a role in expanding it significantly through the inclusion of Urban River Valleys. The Greenbelt has made us the envy of the world. It’s something we’ve gotten right. We’ve linked it to policies focused on building housing in existing built up areas, intensification, transit expansion, access to nature, a safe and sustainable food and water supply, and creating complete communities. The idea that a reckless, self-interested government can destroy it in a term or two is beyond comprehension to me. That they have done this using “deception” - the Integrity Commissioners words, is beyond the pale. That they have hid behind our truly devastating housing crisis, despite the Auditor General making it clear that “a shortage of land is not driving the housing crisis” is also beyond the pale. But this is happening. And we need to get real about the fact that it is happening. Because the damage to our farmland, our regional centres, the impact on our commutes as a result of another layer of regional sprawl, and the distraction from building housing that we desperately need - it might just take us to our breaking point.