Toronto | Traditional territories of the Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewas and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation – This weekend, Ontarians will be coming together across the GTA to celebrate Premier Ford’s reversal of the Greenbelt land removals and will also be calling on him to stop the proposed Highway 413, that if built, will pave over parts of the Greenbelt.
Throughout the past year over 100,000 Ontarians sent emails, signed petitions, made phone calls to their MPPs, with thousands more attending an unprecedented wave of rallies to voice their concerns on the provincial government’s $8.3 billion gift to developers. Mobilization like this has never been seen in Ontario before.
“The attack on the Greenbelt was a flagrant example of bad policy designed to benefit well-connected developers at the expense of our environment, but this was just one of many poor policies, including the proposed Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass, both of which would pass through the Greenbelt. Although returning the Greenbelt lands is a great first step, there is still much work to be done to restore the many environmental protections that we have lost in recent years.” – Tim Gray, Executive Director, Environmental Defence
What: Greenbelt Rallies in Richmond Hill and Scarborough
Where: A map of all events, with additional information about each event, is available here: https://environmentaldefence.ca/handsoffthegreenbelt/
Saturday, Sept. 23
Richmond Hill – 1300 Elgin Mills Rd E, Richmond Hill, ON, L4S 1M5 –1 PM – Celebrate the Return of the Greenbelt Lands! and Rally to Repeal Bill 23, Stop Hwy 413!
“We are happy that the Premier abandoned the Greenbelt giveaways thanks to the thundering voice of the public. This is only the first step, there are many battles ahead such as Bill 23, Hwy 413 and ensuring environmental protections. We want to keep the momentum going.” – Priya Unnikrishnan, Liveable Richmond Hill
Organized by: Liveable Richmond Hill
Media contact: Priya Unnikrishnan
For more information: https://fb.me/e/L9BVmIlb
Saturday, Sept. 23
Scarborough – Gus Harris Trail parking lot, entrance off of Pharmacy Ave
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Speeches
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Group walk towards Danforth Ave
Organized by Scarborough Southwest Environmental Group.
Media contact: Misha Perozak
For more information, email scarboroughsweg@gmail.com
*Note the rally organized on Saturday Sept. 23 in Oakville at Glenashton Park, 1051 Glenashton Dr, Oakville for 12 PM has been canceled.
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
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For more information or to request an interview, please contact: Alex Ross, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca
