SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

John Yakabuski

  • MPP
  • Member of Provincial Parliament
  • Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke
  • Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
  • Ontario
  • The Victoria Center Unit 6 84 Isabella St. Pembroke, ON K8A 5S5 John.Yakabuskico@pc.ola.org
  • tel: 613-735-6627
  • fax: 613-735-6692
  • John.Yakabuski@pc.ola.org

  • Government Page

I want to thank the member for his address this morning. Clearly, Speaker, the housing crisis is the most important issue facing not just Ontario but Canada today, and in our exuberance to get the job done, we made some mistakes, and the Premier has acknowledged that. The Premier has acknowledged that we were not on the same page with the people of Ontario. As a result, we brought forth this legislation that is going to codify the boundaries of the greenbelt.

But I’m going to ask the opposition: They know what a crisis we’re in as well as we do. It’s on the news every day. Will they get behind us now to help solve the housing crisis in Ontario, which will help solve the housing crisis in Canada—because without it, the future is bleak. I want to say to the members: Stop politicking on housing and let’s get behind the solutions that are brought forth by this government that has shown leadership on this issue.

172 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Jun/1/23 9:20:00 a.m.
  • Re: Bill 97 

I will say to the member, he’s right; I did speak on the opposition side, but they were not the same speeches, let me tell you that. They were very good, but they were not the same speeches. But I will say this: We have two different views. They want to do what they want to do to prevent building from taking place. If it isn’t the greenbelt, it will be something else.

But what it comes right down to, Speaker, is that they are standing in the way of actual progress and building for the future. If they aren’t going to build on the greenbelt, then they will find someplace else we’re not going to build.

But the reality is this: We’re actually expanding the greenbelt. Speaker, the greenbelt will be bigger after we’re done than it was when we got here, and there won’t be 17 separate reductions on the greenbelt—

160 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border