Permanently protecting lands…

Permanently protecting lands in the Greenbelt is key to maintaining and improving the resiliency
of local food systems and the physical, social and economic health of Ontarians. Healthy
ecosystems are the foundation of human prosperity and will become increasingly important for
building a climate resilient Ontario.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made these facts clearer than ever before. Since the pandemic
started, we all rely even more on Greenbelt-protected natural lands for our mental and physical
health. We appreciate even more the Greenbelt-protected farmland and farmers that supply us
with healthy local food and jobs. And we are profoundly grateful that Greenbelt-protected water
resources provide us with a clean and secure water supply.

Collectively, people rely on Greenbelt-protected lands for nearly 180,000 jobs and $9.6 billion
in annual economic activity. Meanwhile, the combined activities of plants, animals, insects and
microorganisms in its wetlands, forests, farmlands and rivers generate over $3.2 billion in annual
ecosystem services.

As a concerned citizen who wants to see the Greenbelt protected, I would like to see the following:

1. Commit to the continued permanent protection of all the lands within the existing Greenbelt
area and the expansion of the Greenbelt.

2. Cancel the planned GTA West (Highway 413) and Bradford Bypass. These highways
are expensive, not necessary and will permanently damage existing lands within the
Greenbelt while also generating significant pressure by developers and municipalities to
allow development along them. There are many other options available to manage the
transportation needs of Ontarians that do not require sacrificing vital farmland, natural spaces
and water resources.

3. Bring forward Bill 71, the Paris Galt Moraine Conservation Act, 2019 to provide protection for
this important area and allow expansion of the Greenbelt westward.

4. Release the results (including maps) of the 2017 public consultations on Greenbelt expansion.
This information, including the Bluebelt proposal, is a treasure trove of information and data
that can guide future discussions about where to expand the Greenbelt based on the views of
Ontarians.

I would also like to see the following principles shape the development of a new process to bring more agricultural lands, natural areas and water resources under the protection offered by the Greenbelt Act:

1. Consult with the public, community groups and farm organizations to get feedback on the
criteria to be used and the lands to be considered.

2. Honour Canada’s constitutional and Treaty obligations to Indigenous peoples.

3. Use the rich material from previous consultations, such as the Bluebelt proposal.

4. Ensure expansion criteria follow science-based ecological, hydrological, and conservation best
practices.

5. Ensure that the economic viability of farming as a predominant land use is a key consideration.

6. Ensure expansion criteria help address structural injustices and inequities facing marginalized
groups.

7. Analyze the impact of other government policies on existing and proposed Greenbelt protected lands and develop recommendations to mitigate negative impacts.

Thank-you,