27

Phil Pothen

Program Manager, Land Use and Ontario Environment & Counsel

Phil is a land use planning and environmental lawyer with a background in landscape ecology, landscape architecture and 10 years of experience advising and representing provincial policy-makers, select small builders, and concerned residents. He joined EDC to advance “big-picture” approaches to problems he has dealt with case-by-case – a comprehensive alternative vision for development and industry that meets people’s needs while preserving Ontario’s natural spaces, farmland and other “greenfields” in perpetuity. Having spent his early summers searching out berries, moose tracks and rabbit burrows in the woods and barrens near his house, he has been pleased to introduce his three children to the many similar pleasures available in Toronto’s own urban ravines.

Read Phil's Posts

Dec 03, 2024

Auditor General’s Report Shows that Sprawl MZOs Must be Revoked to Protect Public Safety, Environment and Public Confidence in the Integrity of Planning Decisions

Statement by Phil Pothen, Land Use and Land Development Program Manager, on Auditor General of…

Read More

Nov 25, 2024

Passage of Bill 212 Leaves Canada’s Federal Government with No Alternative but to Restore Federal Impact Assessment Act Oversight of Highway 413

Statement from Phil Pothen, Counsel & Land Use and Land Development Program Manager, Environmental Defence…

Read More

Nov 13, 2024

New Expert Report: Ending Restrictions on Mid-Rise Apartment Buildings Necessary to end Housing Shortage

To deliver 1.5 million homes by 2031, governments need to eliminate minimum parking requirements, reform…

Read More

Aug 20, 2024

Killing Growth Plan for Greater Golden Horseshoe is a Disaster for Ontario’s Environment and Efforts to End Housing Shortage

Statement from Phil Pothen, Land Use and Land Development program manager, in response to Ontario’s…

Read More

Aug 20, 2024

Environmental Group Celebrates as Federal Government Finalizes Delayed Plan to Protect Redside Dace After Legal Pressure

After unconscionable delays, a Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for the Redside Dace is now…

Read More

Aug 01, 2024

New Endangered Species Habitat Mapping Could Kill Proposed Highway 413

Statement from Phil Pothen, Land Use and Land Development program manager, on new federal Recovery…

Read More

Jun 05, 2024

Passage of Bill 185 Undermines the Integrity of all Future Development Approvals Outside Existing Built up Areas

“Third party” appeals limited to polluters, airports, and aggregate pits Statement from Phil Pothen, Land…

Read More

May 24, 2024

Toronto’s Legalization of Six-Storey Apartment Buildings in Residential Neighbourhoods is the Model for Fixing Ontario’s Housing Shortage

Statement from Phil Pothen, Land Use and Land Development program manager Toronto | Traditional territories…

Read More

May 22, 2024

The Ontario Government’s Anti-Density Bill 185 is so Extreme and Corrupt that even Density Opponents are Concerned

Statement from Phil Pothen, Land Use and Land Development program manager Toronto | Traditional territories…

Read More

May 06, 2024

Ontario’s Bill 185 & New Provincial Planning Statement Pose a Serious Threat to Farmland, Wetlands, Habitats and Housing Options

If people in Ontario don’t speak up, the government might push through two new laws…

Read More

Load More