Tom Vegh's latest election ad posted on social media (right) is breathtaking in its mendacity. 
The man is a pathological liar.
There is no other polite way of describing his behaviour.
Protecting Green Space
Consider his election ad on "Protecting Our Green Space"
He says he will:
"Continue to support the protection of agricultural and environmentally-sensitive lands."
On 28 October 2021 in a vote on ROPA7 (Regional Official Plan Amendment 7) Vegh voted to allow the redesignation of the Protected Countryside portions of the Greenbelt in Vaughan from Prime Agricultural to rural against the advice of the Region’s Chief Planner. This would allow the land to be used for golf courses, soccer pitches and the like. John Taylor and Aurora’s Mayor Tom Mrakas voted against.
The Greenbelt Foundation had this to say:
"The ROPA 7 lands are located entirely within the Protected Countryside of the Greenbelt, are within the Greenbelt Natural Heritage System, and are designated as prime agricultural areas within the broader provincial Agricultural System."
The Greenbelt Foundation made its position crystal clear with no room for ambiguity.
We are losing 319 acres of productive farmland every day
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture warns:
"The preservation of farmland is a very critical issue in Ontario. According to figures from the Census of Agriculture released in the spring, Ontario is losing 319 acres of productive farmland every day. That’s the equivalent of 58 city blocks, nearly 800 hockey rinks or 4,785 tennis courts. In terms of food, that is enough acreage to produce more than 23.5 million apples, 1.2 million bottles of Ontario VQA wine or 75.6 million carrots."
The York Region Federation of Farmers protested but Vegh didn't blink. His mind was made up. Their prime agricultural land would be redesignated.
On the record
Vegh's votes at York Regional Council are all on the record.
He votes to allow development which will pave over open countryside, dismissing the concerns of our farmers and others.
Why does he dissemble?
In his on-line ad he says he supported the acquisition of over 2,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands. That's what the Conservation Agency does. It's like saying you support the Police when they catch criminals - it's in their job description.
But at the same time, wearing his York Regional Councillor hat, he votes to open up 7,785 acres of open countryside for development. This is about 12 square miles. (The Town of Newmarket is about 14 square miles.)
He also says he supports the designation of 71% of all lands as agricultural or open space making it off-limits to development. This is just a statement of the obvious. The 71% has been around for years and refers to lands designated under the Greenbelt Act and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act.
What on earth is going on in Tom Vegh's head?
Gordon Prentice 5 October 2022.
Note: blog amended on 6 October 2022. Vegh campaign ad (above) was posted on social media. It was not a "glossy flyer" as previously described.
