Local rallies planned to protest Bill 23

Two rallies will be held in the region this weekend, in response to the Ford government's controversial housing legislation and proposed changes to the Greenbelt.

Greenbelt West Coalition is planning the events to oppose the passing of Bill 23, which paves the way for developers to bypass environmental and heritage restrictions and reduces the role of conservation authorities.

The provincial government has stated the measures are needed to meet its goal of building 1.5 million new homes in the next 10 years. The government also wants to remove protected land from the Greenbelt for development, while adding new land to it elsewhere.

Saturday's rally will take place at noon outside Cambridge City Hall.

Another one is also planned for 1 p.m. Sunday at the corner of Homer Watson Boulevard and Pioneer Drive in Kitchener.