I support the inclusion of…

I support the inclusion of the named Urban River Valleys, but your proposal fall short of what is needed.
* All URV lands, not just publicly owned lands, should be designated. The point of Greenbelt designation is to protect ecosystems from destructive development.
Especially since the province has weakened environmental protection generally through Bill 108, it is crucial that designated Greenbelt areas be large enough to make a difference.
* So, we need to see entire river valley corridors being designated and protected, not just the sections flowing through urban areas.
* Additional river valleys need to be protected. The Ministry should go further and add all river valleys that connect the Greenbelt’s protected countryside to the Great Lakes and inland lakes including: the Nith, Grand, Conestogo, Eramosa, Speed, Nottawasaga, East Holland, Talbot and Ganaraska Rivers, and Duffins, Carruthers, Twelve Mile, Gages and Cobourg Creeks.

Why does this matter to me?
I rely on local agriculture for my food. Ever since The 100 Mile Diet was published in 2007, 15 years ago, I have exclusively eaten locally grown fruits, vegetables and meat. I have saved hundreds, probably thousands, of dollars doing so, and maintained my good health.
Especially as we face food cost inflation and "supply chain" problems, I marvel at the continuing affordability of my locally grown food.
I also rely on groundwater for my drinking water.
You can't have healthy drinking water, nor good climate and soil conditions without considering all the lands surrounding the few acres on which wells and arable land are located. You can't expect a hectare of topsoil, surrounded by blocks and blocks of densely packed housing, to produce a healthy garden or drinkable well water. It needs a whole ecosystem, wetlands, insects, pollinators, etc etc.