“We don’t need to choose between affordable homes and protecting our environment.”
An Election Message from Ontario’s Green Party
Posted February 18th, 2025 on Niagara At Large
Do we really have to keep sprawling over what is left of our croplands , grasslands, woodlands and wetlands to solve Ontario’s housing problem when studies show there is enough land for housing within existing urban boundaries.
In this (February 14th’s) Northern Leaders’ Debate, when we drew attention to Doug Ford’s dismal housing record he deflected by trying to tell us that we “wouldn’t cut down a dandelion to put a shovel in the ground.”
And it’s time we set the record straight.
We don’t need to choose between affordable homes and protecting our environment. Our plan will do both. Here’s how:
- By building within existing urban boundaries we can prevent urban sprawl and avoid paving the Greenbelt, wetlands, and valuable farmland.
- By protecting the Greenbelt and wetlands we can protect existing homes from flooding while we work to increase our housing supply.
- By investing in neighbourhood community hubs and protecting greenspaces when we build homes we can create vibrant communities people will actually want to live in.
So if it’s possible to build more homes and protect the environment, why is Ford talking about dandelions? Could it be because it takes one invasive weed to know another?
Or maybe he’s uncomfortable because he thought his snap election call would make it impossible for us to put together a fully-costed Election Platform or recruit a full-slate of local champions?
Either way, one thing’s for certain, we’re not going to let Doug Ford use dandelions to wish away our plan to build a fairer Ontario where everyone can afford a place to live.
NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.
“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders
Niagara At Large 
My concern is that many of the proposed solutions will not resolve the root of the problem.
Most singles and young couples starting out can not manage the rental or mortgage payments even if places were available.
On Hartzel Rd. in St. Catharines there are several strip malls (like most major streets in the city); one of which has a second story of apartments. It is compatible with the surrounding neighbourhood as it does not tower above other housing.
This represents a lost opportunity for the city to resolve the shortage of affordable housing.
If the city could offer financial incentives to other strip mall owners to follow suit and change bylaws to require any future mall developers to include a second story this could go a long way to resolving the crisis. It might even save the city financially as these developments are already serviced.
Another plus would be that while this option could help resolve the crisis, it would not do so by creating ghettos.
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