Hello, the following are my…

Hello, the following are my comments to the questions regarding expanding the Greenbelt. Please note that I agree with the definition of the Greenbelt and I agree with the Principles. I also agree with expanding the Greenbelt further than what is being proposed.

Regarding Question 1. I think that the initial focus area of the Paris Galt Moraine is too small. The Grand River and associated River Valley and Forests corridors should also be included. At the very least the Greenbelt should be expanded to both sides of the Grand River between Cambridge and Brantford as this is a very significant habitat corridor. For further information, please refer to Provincial ANSI, River, and Topographic mapping.

Regarding Question 2. A defined boundary of the Paris Galt Moraine should not be based on political boundaries but rather on natural features. As indicated previously, the Paris Galt Moraine Greenbelt should include the Grand River Valley and Forest Corridors.

Regarding Question 3. By adding, expanding and further protecting urban river valley's, the government is taking a more holistic approach and I am in support of it.

Regarding Question 4. Areas to grow the Greenbelt should include, but not be limited to Natural Heritage Features, Environmentally Significant Features/Ecosystems, Well Head Protection Areas, Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest, Provinically/Locally Significant Wetlands, Environmentally Sensitive Areas, Special Policy Areas, Habitat Corridors, Rivers and tributaries, continuous and some fragmented forests/prairies, etc...; in general an ecosystem based approach should be considered where a greenbelt can protect watersheds, wetlands, forests, prairies, and the corridors that connect them.

Regarding Question 5. How Ontario balances/prioritizes the Greenbelt expansion with other Provincial priorities should direct population growth and development to areas of the Province where the economies are economically depressed. These areas should also have a lower environmental significance, but this would have to be quantified/ranked. Perhaps consider growing areas of the Province impacted by historical mining or pulp & paper operations; whereas this investment and growth can help remediate the environment and give people a decent livelihood. Perhaps ensenstivize people to live further North or East in the Province in order to Protect areas where quality Farmland and the Environment is threatened by development.

Regarding Question 6. The Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZO's) need to stop. In conjunction with the Greenbelt, MZO's are essentially robbing Peter to pay Paul. Also, removing powers from our Conservation Authorities is potentially removing the Watershed-based approach to managing our surface water resources and the various environmental/geological components that go with it. Local governments should not be making decisions based on environmental matters; whereas many local governments don't have the staff expertise to make informative decisions, this would increase the cost of staffing to the tax payer, where there was already an efficiency for shared costs through the Conservation Authorities.

Please feel free to contact me should you want to discuss any of these responses that I have provided. I really hope the Greenbelt will be expanded to include the Grand River and associated habitat corridors. Thank you for entertaining my comments.