Laura Bowman (NDP-York Simcoe) Formally Endorses AWARE Simcoe’s Vision For County

Community control over planning a long-standing priority for NDP candidate

News release from Ontario NDP York-Simcoe

Ontario NDP Candidate for York-Simcoe Laura Bowman is committing to working with the community in South Simcoe to implement the ‘Vision for Simcoe County’ that residents of Simcoe developed last year.  Bowman who is endorsed by Carl Cosack of food and water first, says that in particular the concept of net benefit to the community for development is important and “needs to be incorporated into provincial planning documents”.

Bowman went on to say that “the concept of ensuring that development benefits existing residents in terms of environmental sustainability, cost-benefit and social benefit is missing from the Liberal philosophy in planning in Simcoe County”. Bowman pointed to the Liberal decision to continue to ignore community concerns about agricultural land protection when amending the Provincial Policy Statement, rapid sprawl and the recent amendment to the Growth Plan in Simcoe county as examples. Bowman, who has followed the efforts of Simcoe county residents for some time noted: “If elected, I would work hard to ensure the vision for Simcoe County was a part of the province’s policy and approach to good planning”.

Carl Cosack, a cattle farmer, of Food and Water First and the North Dufferin farmers who recently stopped one of the largest quarries in North America on potato croplands, and who has worked with groups in Simcoe county on agricultural protection says Bowman is right for the job: “I am impressed with her integrity and grittiness to get the job done… Having talent like Laura Bowman represent a constituency in this province is a huge step in the right direction.” Cosack recently endorsed Bowman at her campaign kickoff in Bradford on May 13.

Bowman is looking forward to elaborating on her plans to protect and develop York-Simcoe’s agricultural economy at the Holland Marsh candidates’ debate on June 4.