In reversing the Greenbelt…

In reversing the Greenbelt removals Premier Ford stated on September 21, 2023, “I made a promise to you that I wouldn’t touch the Greenbelt. I broke that promise. And for that I’m very, very sorry.” He went on to say, “As a first step to earn back your trust, I’ll be reversing the changes we made and won’t make any changes to the Greenbelt in future”.
We recommend the following to meet the Premier’s commitment to reverse the changes of late 2022 and in Durham to further protect Greenbelt lands and re-evaluate urban area expansion:
1 In addition to restoring the agricultural easements in the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP), transfer the easements to an entity not controlled by the Province. We suggest Rouge National Urban Park/Parks Canada
2 Reinstate and then review the Central Pickering Development Plan (CPDP)
3 There are benefits to the transfer of some of the Federal airport lands that fall within the Greenbelt to the RNUP, particularly lands that provide connections to Seaton and Claremont.
4 The creation of the Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park is of great benefit
5 Re-evaluate the Region of Durham's planned urban area expansion in North Pickering.

Please see attached for more detailed comments regarding each point