Victor Doyle, lead planner of Ontario’s Greenbelt plan made the point in no uncertain terms – sprawl development never pays for itself. Numerous and increasingly sophisticated studies have demonstrated the ruinous consequences of low-density sprawl caused by building out too many kilometres of pipes, wires, sidewalks, roads, and curbs, all requiring upkeep, maintenance, and repair. Ontario already has a $100 billion infrastructure deficit that is crippling municipalities across the province. They then plan for more asking help from other levels of government ignoring the fact there is only one level of taxpayer. The Province’s housing strategy – more sprawl, highways, cars, and infrastructure – is a plan to fail and to fail utterly. And it is just as true here in the County as it is elsewhere.

John Ambrose talked about geothermal energy. Roughly a third of our energy demand is for heating. Only geothermal offers greenhouse-gas-free and financially-free energy yet it is not even part of Ontario’s energy plan, which waxes eloquent about more transmission lines, nuclear power, and natural gas. Geothermal requires tapping into the earth’s heat. Admittedly, it cannot be an immediate answer to our energy needs but it should be mandatory for new development. Again, another missed opportunity from our provincial government.

Finally, Dan Leeming, who has worked on community design throughout Ontario and the U.S., admitted that climate change is real and accelerating and new building can either help create a way out or lock us into a worsening future. Sprawl developments are not even good places to live – with endlessly curving roads built for cars but making walking and shuttle transportation impossible. He pointed out that according to the Lancet medical journal, climate change threatens all health improvements over the last 60 years and walking is the best promoter of human health. In answer to a question, he stated that up-to-date Official and Secondary Plans can include contemporary urban design principles and neighbouring communities have them in place. But not the County.

Don Wilford,

Bay of Quinte Green Party of Ontario