Petition to protect the South Georgian Bay area’s Niagara Escarpment signed by thousands

As Doug Ford’s government enacted Bill 23, a petition calling for more protection for natural lands in the South Georgian Bay area – including the Niagara Escarpment – surpassed more than 20,000 signatures.

The Escarpment Corridor Alliance (ECA) created the online petition in support of protecting the region’s famed natural features, many of which are under threat as a result of increasing development. The group advocates for planning processes which balance the need for development with the conservation of natural spaces and habitats.

“We are not against development, but there are much better suited places which don’t sacrifice critical forests, wetlands and don’t degrade the UNESCO recognized Niagara Escarpment,” said Bruce Harbinson, President of the ECA. “We believe in densification not deforestation – and we want to ensure our natural areas are conserved for future generations.”

The introduction of Bill 23 saw support for ECA’s petition and objectives surge. Community members from South Georgian Bay region voiced their concern about the proposed development on over 1,500 acres of the Castle Glen Forest and residents from across the province decried the erosion of environmental protection by the Ford government.

“We cannot replace these spaces once they are destroyed, we cannot create new old trees or restore habitats paved over by developers,” added Harbinson. “To destroy a forest to build a resort community based on 50-year-old planning approvals, like the one proposed at Castle Glen Forest – and let’s be clear this is not about solving any housing crisis – should be unheard of in 2022. It looks like Ontario residents agree.”

– Submitted by The Escarpment Corridor Alliance