Feds warn Ontario they could shut down development near Rouge Park, Ford 'not too concerned'
CBC
A new study examining the effect of development on biodiversity and species-at-risk in a massive national park could shut down part of Ontario's plan to build housing in the area, says Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Guilbeault says the study will be done as soon as possible on Rouge National Urban Park in the Greater Toronto Area.
He says working with the province to address some of the environmental concerns over proposed housing developments in the area has been difficult.
Premier Doug Ford says the study will not slow down housing plans for nearby lands that the province removed from the protected Greenbelt.
Guilbeault has previously voiced concerns about Ford removing about 7,400 acres from 15 different areas in the protected Greenbelt lands, while adding more parcels elsewhere, in order to build 50,000 homes.
Ford says he was not given a heads-up on the announcement by Guilbeault's office, but he is "not too concerned about it" because the park is adjacent to land set to be developed, not part of it.
In December, Parks Canada issued a stark rebuke to Ontario's plan to open up sections of protected Greenbelt land for housing development, saying the move risks "irreversible harm" and that proper consultation on the proposal has not taken place.
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