'Hands off the Greenbelt': Markham residents voice opposition to Bill 23

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 12, 2022

It was a great turnout to oppose Bill 23 in Markham despite pouring rain and gusting wind on Saturday morning, Dec. 3.

Around 100 residents protested at the intersection of Highway 7 and Warden Avenue. Attendees held print signs saying “Drug Ford: Keep Your Greenbelt Promises!” and brought their own handwritten signs, including “Kill Bill 23!”, “Ford, Hands off the Greenbelt. It’s Ontario’s, Not Yours!”, and “Don’t trade our Green for Gold”.

When Roy Long rallied at the intersection holding his sign “Bill 23 = Higher property taxes, $600-1000 year/home”, drivers honked their horns in support of the protest.

“We are not alone," said Isabel Monita. "People may not know what to do, but there’s a lot we can do."

Markham councillors Reid McAlpine, Karen Rea, Ritch Lau and Juanita Nathan also came out.

But the fact that not all city councillors showed up to the rally touched a nerve with organizer Shanta Sundarason.

“We had hoped that all of council would have shown their support for those that voted for (them) recently, but sadly this was not the case," she said.  "We want the Ford government to repeal this Bill and we want to know that our local municipal councillors are with us on this."

Sundarason said some are considering legal action against Bill 23 and some residents are prepared to donate money for legal fees. She hopes that more members of the community reach out to show support against the legislation.

Bill 23 has sparked province-wide protests in recent weeks in several municipalities. The bill could reallocate sections of Ontario's Greenbelt and protected lands for what the government is saying will be affordable housing and community development.

According to Stop Sprawl York Region, Bill 23 could remove five parcels of protected land around Major MacKenzie Road and McCowan Road in Markham and three around McCowan Road and 19th Avenue in Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville from protection, leaving them eligible for development.

The Ontario government tabled Bill 23 on Oct. 25 with the stated aim of speeding up housing construction to get 1.5 million new homes built over the next 10 years. The province’s 30-day consultation process ended on Dec. 4.