Harry Leslie Smith, 95-year-old activist and podcaster, critically ill in hospital
We share similar view points, but Harry has the years and live experience to say he has lived on the other side. The world is fast returning to a time when less than 1% controlled over 905 of the wealth.
My fight against intensive urbanization of Wasaga's Beach area 1, is in part a fight against this return to serfdom. The "plan" also removes the historical ability of millions of Ontario citizens from their traditional and historic use of this natural wonder. (It belongs to the people!)
The Ontario Government "Places to Grow Act" which seeks to force urbanization on us, is as much about preserving vast lands for resource and mineral extraction, as indicated in their own verbiage.
"2.4 Minerals and Petroleum
2.4.1 Minerals and petroleum resources shall be protected for long-term use.
2.4.2 Protection of Long-Term Resource Supply
2.4.2.1 Mineral mining operations and petroleum resource operations shall be identified and protected from development and activities that would preclude or hinder their expansion or continued use or which would be incompatible for reasons of public health, public safety or environmental impact. 2.4.2.2 Known mineral deposits, known petroleum resources and significant areas of mineral potential shall be identified and development and activities in these resources or on adjacent lands which would preclude or hinder the establishment of new operations or access to the resources shall only be permitted if:
a) resource use would not be feasible; or
b) the proposed land use or development serves a greater long-term public interest; and
c) issues of public health, public safety and environmental impact are addressed.
2.4.4 Extraction in Prime Agricultural Areas
2.4.4.1 Extraction of minerals and petroleum resources is permitted in prime agricultural areas provided that the site will be rehabilitated.
2.5 Mineral Aggregate Resources
2.5.1 Mineral aggregate resources shall be protected for long-term use and, where provincial information is available, deposits of mineral aggregate resources shall be identified.
2.5.2 Protection of Long-Term Resource Supply
2.5.2.1 As much of the mineral aggregate resources as is realistically possible shall be made available as close to markets as possible. Demonstration of need for mineral aggregate resources, including any type of supply/demand analysis, shall not be required, notwithstanding the availability, designation or licensing for extraction of mineral aggregate resources locally or elsewhere. 2.5.2.2 Extraction shall be undertaken in a manner which minimizes social, economic and environmental impacts.
I was in a small way, involved in the fight against the Mega Quarry. If it was not for the people that lived on the land, took care of it and called it home, surely the quarry would have come to be. Removing people from the land is the best and easiest way to remove the obstacles of objection and protest....if no-one lived there almost no one would be greatly concerned.
As witnessed by the GM announcement, good jobs are becoming rare in Canada. The seek to "reorganize to take advantage of new manufacturing technologies", (aka, robots).
The only thing that can protect the populace from this massive change, is a return to self sufficiency. This can only be accomplished if the humble citizen has good access to land and resources. With a few acres, you can grow your own food, cut a few tree branches to craft a chair, build your own home, raise a few animals.
This may not be everyone's ideal, but there are enough people who do like the idea, enough that a return to a "sharing economy" can sustain us!
If you have Twitter, read Harry's comments over the years. Think hard about your own future too, and that of your children and grandchildren. Where will today's actions land us in 20 or 50 years?
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