June 7, Voting Day, is quickly approaching. In order to determine where the candidates stand on issues that we care about, Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition met with almost every candidate in Simcoe County from the four parties, but have yet to meet with Doug Downey (PC, Barrie-Springwater-Oro Medonte) or Elizabeth Van Houtte (NDP-Simcoe South).
Please note the parties’ differing approaches to Greenbelt expansion:
GREEN: Are calling for a Bluebelt expansion of the greenbelt which would include most of Simcoe County
LIB: Committed, at minimum, to the consultation map that was released earlier this year. No mention of adjusting policies to address aggregate, permits to take water, etc. within the Greenbelt
NDP: Support expansion of the Greenbelt, but no detail on where this would happen. Want to ensure that the strongest policy applies so as not to weaken any local protections. ”In order to ensure long term public support for the Greenbelt, it will require ongoing consultation and partnership with municipalities, farmers, conservation authorities and other stakeholders”
PC: Committed to protecting the integrity of the existing Greenbelt, but have not committed publicly to its expansion
The Barrie-Innisfil Candidates: Bonnie North, Green Party; Ann Hoggarth, LIB; Pekka Reinio, NDP; Doug Downey, PC; Stacy Surkova, Trillium Party
To learn more about SCGC, go to:https://www.simcoecountygreenbelt.ca/vote_grow_our_gb