Introduction The Greenbelt…

Introduction
The Greenbelt Plan is a visionary plan that has become world-renowned. It provides protection for valuable farmland systems and natural heritage systems. It provides predictability and a secure future for agricultural lands and stability for real estate prices in agricultural areas and natural heritage areas within the Greenbelt.

Valuable Farmland
Local farmland in Ontario and Canada is very limited and provides necessary food security for each province and the nation as a whole, a nation that is mainly characterized by rocky landscapes (Canadian Shield) and harsh climates unsuitable for agriculture. Long term food security is essential for a healthy and secure Canada. Sprawling subdivisions will not feed us.

A quote from ERO 019-6216 description states the purpose of the Greenbelt Plan succinctly:

“The Greenbelt Area includes lands covered by the policies of the Greenbelt Plan, as well as the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan. Collectively, these plans identify where major urbanization should not occur. The plans provide permanent protection to the agricultural land base and the ecological and hydrological features, areas and functions within the Greater Golden Horseshoe and beyond.”

The proposed removal of 7,400 acres in fifteen locations within the existing Greenbelt Plan area is shortsighted and will undermine the integrity and future of the entire Greenbelt and take 1000’s of acres of active farmland out of production. Among the primary needs of a growing population in South Central Ontario (Great Golden Horseshoe) is for local food production that is secure.

Affordable Housing.
It is recognized that there is a pressing need for additional affordable housing in Ontario with a wide variety of forms of housing. Opening the Greenbelt to additional urban sprawl is not necessary and financially is an expensive way to provide new housing in Ontario. Costly water and wastewater systems, road networks and transit would all need to be extended into these Greenbelt lands outside of established urban boundaries.

As has been well-documented within regions and municipalities across Ontario, there is more than ample land already designated for more than enough housing to meet the goal of building 1.5 million new residential units, in locations where necessary infrastructure already exists. Appropriate densification and making efficient use of existing infrastructure is far less costly and can effectively move towards the goal of providing abundant attainable and affordable housing. If the government is serious about providing the housing needed today, it will maintain the current Greenbelt Plan with lands designated as Natural Heritage and Protected Countryside, and focus on and support the building of a variety of new housing units within established urban boundaries.

The Housing Affordability Task Force set up by the provincial government early in 2022 released a report which makes it clear that there is more than enough land already designated to meet the goal of building 1.5 million new residential units by 2030 within today’s urban boundaries, and to protect existing agricultural and natural heritage lands.

Question of Trust.
Also well-documented is the government’s public statements emphasizing that the Greenbelt will not be opened up for development. The Premier, himself has stated clearly that “we will not touch the Greenbelt.” Given that there is no need to open up the Greenbelt to achieve stated new housing goals, it is an important matter of public trust that the government will stand by its word. The government is urged to retain the public trust.

To conclude, each government leaves a legacy for future generations. It is clear from expert planners, farmers, scientists and countless citizens across Ontario that continuing to build expensive sprawling subdivisions on precious agricultural land and wetlands represents poor planning and compromises a healthy climate resilient future for this and future generations. May this government build a legacy that champions the entire Greenbelt as identified in today’s Greenbelt Plan and with fulsome public consultation expand this visionary plan.