CHCH Interview

Premier Doug Ford and his government are facing a new challenge tonight over housing development and greenspace.

This time it’s from the city of Burlington worried about the future of a unique neighbourhood and the possible fallout from development for other parts of the city.

Millcroft is an established neighbourhood with a golf course in the middle.

Houses are built along the fairways, and there’s plenty of greenspace.

Residents say the housing design with the golf course in the middle was meant to prevent flooding in severe storms. The golf course soaks up the water.

But now a developer wants to build 90 homes in four areas of the course. Residents say the result could be massive floods.

Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the city are appealing to the provincial government, asking Queen’s Park this week to help fight the development.

The response to CHCH from Housing Minister Paul Calandra’s office was “As this matter is before the Ontario Land Tribunal it would be inappropriate to comment.”

But people in Burlington say Doug Ford reversed policy to become the Greenbelt protector, now he should protect their greenspace.

We’re told the houses in Millcroft sell for $2 – $2.5 million, so building more of them isn’t going to solve any affordability crisis.

Development opponents say it will lead to a flooding crisis, not just in Millcroft but for all the other Burlington neighbourhoods south of Millcroft toward Lake Ontario.