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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, M ay 16 ,2 01 9 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 WHO WE ARE Publisher Kelly Montague Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Regional Director of Media Holly Chriss Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Classified/Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Production Shelli Harrison Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane CONTACT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 905-234-1016 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, con- dense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncana- dianchampion.com or call 905- 234-1019. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT THEIFP.CA EDITORIAL The Ontario Municipal Board has gone by several names since its creation in 1906. It changed again last year, to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, but now it is changing the way it operates. The former Liberal government, in 2017, worried that the OMB was undermining local, municipal authority, began the reform process. The Ford government has final- ized those changes by reverting to old OMB rules and what once had been an independent adjudicator for land- planning issues is now being seen as a patsy for devel- opers. In football, an end run is when a player tries to carry to ball around a defensive line. In Ontario politics, it's any time Doug Ford doesn't get his way. Ontarians should not be surprised. Ford ran a devel- opment-friendly election campaign that would threaten the beloved Greenbelt. Faced with objections there, he backed off, but came back in January with proposed changes to municipal growth plans that he says will at- tract jobs, boost housing supply in southwestern Ontario and empower cities and towns to dictate how and where development occurs. It was a recipe for sprawl then and, with the tabling recently of the More Homes, More Choice Act, is the proof in the pudding: The PC government of Doug Ford is anti- environment and pro-development. Had the Liberals un- der Kathleen Wynne retained power, would the tribunal be any different? It's hard to know. But the effect would almost certainly have been different. For several reasons. The changes Ford's government announced in January roll back density targets, allowing greenfields where de- velopers usually build single-family home subdivisions to be converted to homes for 40 people per hectare rather than the current 80. The changes announced recently will affect 13 Ontario laws, including the Environmental Protection and En- dangered Species acts and Ontario Heritage and Planning acts. More than 20 pages of wide-reaching changes to laws affecting Ontario flora and fauna were buried in the More Homes More Choices Act, Bill 108. Activists are calling the act a "doomsday scenario for endangered species in this province." A 2013 study by the David Suzuki Foundation warned of the risks of urban sprawl to the farms, forests and wet- lands in the Golden Horseshoe. With only five per cent of Canada's entire land base suitable for growing food and with the land under cities from Toronto to St. Catharines rich with soil needed for such growth, the foundation argued, it is irresponsible of the government to allow further urban sprawl. The provincial housing minister, Steve Clark, says the changes will get more housing to market quicker, create a diversity of housing and grow supply of housing, so hous- ing prices will be more affordable. He is right on the first two points, but the only way for housing to be made more affordable is for costs to come down and when does that ever happen? Municipalities, already cash-strapped before Queen's Park started announcing cuts to education and health among other programs, will find it hard to resist the mo- nies increased development will provide. But resist they must. PLAYING FIELD TILTS TOWARD DEVELOPERS Have you ever watched your child playing happily away, completely en- thralled and delighted? It's a wonderful thing to wit- ness - a child engrossed in simple play, creating and learning. To even count as play, an activity must be chosen and directed by your child. When children feel that freedom, they just relax and enjoy. They are alert and giving their full atten- tion, which allows them to imagine and experiment easily. And this is when the best learning happens! When your child is in charge of how an activity will play out, she will feel motivated to keep going, using patience and persis- tence. Along the way, she will make decisions, solve problems she encounters, and demonstrate how in- novative she is. These are important skills she needs to thrive at school and in life. Sometimes we are tempted to choose activi- ties that we most enjoy or to guide our child's play in ways that make sense to us. Remember to step back and ask yourself, am I letting my child bring his own ide- as, use his skills, and try new things? Early years profession- als agree on the impor- tance of the relationship between a parent and child. Your child loves playing with you! When you sup- port his choices and let him put his ideas into action, your belief in his abilities gives him confidence and motivates him to keep learning. If playdough is the ac- tivity of the day, let your child create a scene based on her interests and expe- riences. Will she choose a construction site or a beach? When playing quiz games, give your child a chance to quiz you, too. When you see your child getting frustrated, don't jump in right away - wait to see how he adjusts. Connect and play every day and you'll enjoy watch- ing your child take the lead and learn new things! Next time: How Halton iparent helps Alison Hilborn is the Our Kids Network Early Years Initiative chair and Acton Hub co-ordinator. Reach her at CPLE@halto- niparent.ca. Find more than 60 Connect Play & Learn Every Day activity ideas for children up to age six at haltoniparent.ca/ CPLE. This column is based on information pro- vided by Halton early years professionals. Halton has many helpful resources. If you have concerns about your child, contact a health-care provider. DURING PLAYTIME, LEADING IS LEARNING SUPPORT CHILD'S CHOICES, WRITES ALISON HILBORN ALISON HILBORN Column