MPP Julia Munro By now, almost everyone has had a chance to see the map of the new border that Barrie MPP Aileen Carroll and the Liberal government are imposing on Innisfil.

In total, 2,293 hectares of land are scheduled to be torn out of Innisfil and turned over the City of Barrie — without a penny in compensation to the town. The people who live in the area to be annexed will have no say whatsoever about their fate. Neither will Innisfil council or anyone else in the town.

The annexation is contained in Bill 196, the Barrie-Innisfil Annexation Act, 2009. Residents can read the bill and debates about it (coming in the fall) by clicking the link on my website, www.juliamunrompp.com.

Only one reason exists to take these lands — massive commercial and residential development to the south of Barrie. Sprawl is what this is called. Since Barrie is governed separately from the rest of Simcoe County, development in the annexed area will not provide tax revenue for services in the county.

At the same time, the province is launching a consultation on a Simcoe County growth plan. This after it decided where Barrie's growth is already going to go. This is a cynical gesture by the government. Innisfil residents will get to have their say about growth — but it will make no difference to the town's new boundary. The Liberal government will use its majority to force the bill through the legislature, almost certainly before the growth plan is finished.

Along with the council and residents of Innisfil, I have been fighting the proposed annexation for many months. Residents can read the questions I put to Minister of Municipal Affairs Jim Watson on my website. Several months ago, I arranged for mayor Brian Jackson to meet the Watson. I was also pleased to join hundreds of Innisfil residents who came to demonstrate at Queen's Park a couple of weeks ago.

When this bill returns for debate in the fall, I will insist on full committee hearings, not just at Queen's Park, but in Innisfil. Residents have a right to make their views known. As slim as the chance may be, residents still have time to oppose this annexation. Hearings will also let residents demand compensation if the annexation goes ahead. If Barrie is allowed to profit from the annexation, Innisfil should be compensated for its loss.

We must also ask what effects Barrie's sprawl will have on the environment and Lake Simcoe. I have already pointed out in the legislature that Barrie puts 2.5 times as much phosphorous per litre into the lake than Innisfil. Does the government seriously expect that allowing massive development to the south of Barrie will fail to harm the environment?

Barrie's federal MP Patrick Brown has even asked if development decisions are being based on what is best for Barrie. The quality of life for people in Innisfil and Barrie depends on how we treat the environment, and the planning for development. Barrie MPP Aileen Carroll has the chance to champion the local environment and the lake, or support further urban sprawl.