I am delighted that the…

I am delighted that the Greenbelt is being restored to its original configuration.

However, I think it is important that the legislation includes provisions to ensure permanent protection of the Greenbelt. These provisions should allow only additions to the Greenbelt when the ten-year review takes place. They should also ensure that any decisions regarding the Greenbelt should involve meaningful consultations with First Nations. "Pay to Slay" programs for critical habitat in the Greenbelt should be prohibited as well as the licensing of new aggregate extraction permits. All Prime Agricultural land in the Greenbelt should be protected through Conservation Easements. This would ensure that speculators are dissuaded from purchasing that land. The grandfathering of previous zoning for development applications within the Greenbelt should be discontinued.

It is critical to the long-term health of southern Ontario that the Greenbelt be preserved. The agricultural lands are important for food security and the natural areas are important for wildlife habitat, source water protect and mitigating the effects of climate change.

I urge the government to create legislation that will ensure that the Greenbelt is protected for generations to come.