Grow the Greenbelt!

Good news – After years of Ontario Nature and our partners calling for Greenbelt expansion, it looks like it may finally happen. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has pledged to grow the Greenbelt (ERO # 019-3136). So far, the Ministry is considering adding the Paris Galt Moraine and public lands within urban river valleys. While these suggestions are welcome, a much more ambitious approach is needed to protect precious farmland, groundwater and natural areas across the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) and build the region’s resilience to climate change.

Ontario Nature is recommending that Greenbelt expansion focus on protecting areas ...

Good news – After years of Ontario Nature and our partners calling for Greenbelt expansion, it looks like it may finally happen. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has pledged to grow the Greenbelt (ERO # 019-3136). So far, the Ministry is considering adding the Paris Galt Moraine and public lands within urban river valleys. While these suggestions are welcome, a much more ambitious approach is needed to protect precious farmland, groundwater and natural areas across the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) and build the region’s resilience to climate change.

Ontario Nature is recommending that Greenbelt expansion focus on protecting areas of high ecological and hydrological value that are under threat from urban development. Specifically, expansion should include:

all moraines within the GGH, given their vital role in providing clean drinking water and mitigating floods;
private lands within urban river valleys, since it is primarily private lands, not public lands, that are threatened with urbanization and development;
coldwater streams, wetlands and headwaters of river systems, which improve water quality, provide critical habitat for fish and other wildlife and afford many further benefits such as flood control, carbon storage, groundwater recharge and recreational opportunities;
former glacial Lake Algonquin and Iroquois Shorelines and Plain which feature significant groundwater discharge zones and the headwaters of many coldwater streams; and
the Lake Simcoe basin and northern Simcoe County, where many important ecological and hydrological features are vulnerable to land speculation and intensive development.

In keeping with the Ministry’s promise not to remove lands from the Greenbelt, we are also asking that the government cancel plans to build Highway 413 (GTA West) and the Bradford Bypass (Holland Marsh Highway) which will slice through existing Greenbelt lands and accelerate sprawl.

Permanently protecting lands and waters within the Greenbelt will maintain and improve the resiliency of local food systems, and the physical, social and economic health of the nine million Ontarians living in the GGH. Healthy ecosystems are the foundation of human prosperity and will become increasingly important for building climate resilience.

Please join Ontario Nature in urging the Ministry to take a more ambitious approach to Greenbelt expansion. The deadline for comment is April 19, 2021.

For additional suggestions on how to respond to the Ministry’s consultation questions, read our suggested responses.

Photo © Peter Pomykacz

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Make the Greenbelt More Robust

2,627 emails sent

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Honourable Steve Clark
Your local Member of Provincial Parliament
Provincial Greenbelt Consultation contact

Find your local rep

Subject:

Dear Minister Clark,

Re: ERO # 019-3136 Consultation on growing the size of the Greenbelt

Thank you very much for your welcome pledge to grow the Greenbelt. While I support the inclusion of the Paris Galt Moraine and public lands within urban river valleys, I believe a much more ambitious approach is needed to protect precious farmland, groundwater and natural areas across the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) and build the region’s resilience to climate change.

I urge you to use a science-based approach to expansion that will:

• ensure safe and abundant drinking water and local food for the region’s 9 million residents;
• sustain local ecosystems and biodiversity; and 
• optimize resilience to climate change impacts such as flooding and drought.

To this end, I recommend that expansion include: all moraines within the GGH; private lands as well as public lands within urban river valleys; coldwater steams, wetlands and headwaters; the former glacial Lake Algonquin and Iroquois Shorelines and Plain; and the Lake Simcoe basin and northern Simcoe County.

In keeping with your promise not to remove lands from the Greenbelt, I also ask that the government cancel plans to build Highway 413 (GTA West) and the Bradford Bypass (Holland Marsh Highway), which will damage existing Greenbelt lands and accelerate sprawl.

I look forward to participating in further consultations about growing the Greenbelt.

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