Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon councillors vote to build on farmland

Region of Peel councillors have decided to move ahead with a new official plan that includes the claiming of approximately 10,000 acres of greenspace and farmland in parts of Brampton and Caledon to accommodate future growth.

After weeks of discussion and a lengthy debate today (April 28), councillors from Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon made the move to make sure there is room in Peel Region for the expected 700,000 new residents and 335,000 jobs that are expected in the next 30 years.

While citizen environmentalists have been vocal in their opposition to the move, Peel councillors believe they were forced to make the decision to maintain some control over growth that could otherwise be imposed on them by the Ontario government.

The new official plan calls for affordable housing and transit initiatives but does not require Highway 413 which will cut through essentially the same land area. Peel councillors have earlier come out in opposition of the Ontario government’s plan for the 413 over environmental concerns.