Balancing provincial growth targets with small-town character
Asked by Anonymous · a month ago
Many people choose to live here because they want small town character and little or no growth at all. At the same time, the province is requiring municipalities to accommodate significant growth and new housing. How do you plan to balance those competing pressures — meeting provincial growth targets while still preserving the character and quality of life that residents value?
Jaison Waldman's answer
Character and quality of life are part of why I live here also. Part of what I consider as quality of life are the services provided.
Greater economies of scale are beneficial for everyone except those who don't want competition. The narrative the we resist growth discourages business investment.
Every small town in Southern Ontario can make the same claims, as New Tecumseth. So if we want to have a say in our growth we must get over the limiting beliefs that growth is not good.
We can generate employment and prosperity, there is no reason to wait for Queens Park to impose anything on us. Many big cities are also great places to live. Planning for transportation parks, parking, schools and so much more should not be a reaction to the provinces plans.
