For Immediate Release
April 25, 2006

No Clear Answers When Elliott Asks Minister, ‘Where is the Science’?

(Queen’s Park)– There were no clear answers today when Christine Elliott, Conservative M.P.P. for Whitby-Ajax, challenged the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing in the Legislature to explain both the science that subjects a small strip of land separating Whitby and Ajax to the restrictions of the Greenbelt Legislation, and why he seemed to be ignoring the breadth of views held by municipal politicians regarding the issue. 

“A great deal of concern has been expressed by the residents of Whitby and Ajax, and by many Durham region politicians, that there is a 1.1 kilometre wide strip of rural land located on the Whitby-Ajax border that is protected under your Greenbelt Legislation,” said Elliott this afternoon.  “Would you please explain what scientific evidence there is that could possibly support severing this land from its surroundings and placing it under Greenbelt restrictions?”

There has been much contention surrounding this issue both in Whitby and in Ajax, much of which can be attributed to the lack of an appeals process in the Greenbelt Bill.  “The truth is [this] has generated significant concerns from citizens, to property owners, to municipal politicians,” stated Elliott. 

Elliott then urged the Minister to keep his campaign promise of coming to the table to address the needs of municipal politicians.  “You haven’t wanted to listen to us on these issues,” she continued, “but why are you not addressing the concerns of all our municipal leaders – not just one, but all – who want a review of some of the boundaries?”

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For more information contact:
Christine Elliott, M.P.P
Whitby-Ajax
416.325.1331