Ontario’s Greenbelt is the…

Ontario’s Greenbelt is the largest greenbelt in the world spanning 325 kilometres . This expansive stretch of integrated green space is integral to the agricultural sector, enhancing natural environments, and supporting liveable climate-resilient communities. The proposed Bill 66 allows for open-for-business planning by-laws to be exempt from important planning provisions, including the Greenbelt Act, 2005. The objectives of the Greenbelt Act are to sustain, preserve, and protect this stretch of land recognizing its important economic significance, tourism opportunities, and role in managing urbanization. The Greenbelt naturally protects communities through important ecological and hydrological services including flood protection and providing clean air. Allowing open-for-business planning by-laws to circumvent the Greenbelt Act will compromise the greenbelt and its essential services, negatively impacting the health and wellbeing of Ontarians.

The conservation of land and greenspace is a pillar of the new Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan. As stated within the plan “the Ontario government is committed to protecting the Greenbelt for future generations.” This commitment is essential to supporting natural climate change mitigation and adaptation, at no additional cost to Ontarians. The Open for Business planning bylaws however are a direct contradiction to this commitment to protecting the Greenbelt for future generations. The proposed Bill 66 amendments to allow for exemptions to the Greenbelt Act and other essential environmental protection acts such as the Clean Water Act, will limit progress outlined in the key areas of the Environment Plan. Of the four pillars of the Environment Plan, the Greenbelt plays an essential role in three strategies; Protecting our Air, Lakes and Rivers, Addressing Climate Change, and Conserving Land and Greenspace.

Forest ecosystems mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration, at no additional financial cost to Ontarians. The Friends of the Greenbelt have estimated “the forested area of the Greenbelt alone can offset the equivalent of 27 million cars driven over one year.” The agricultural land, forest, and wetlands within the Greenbelt actively store carbon, with an estimated value of $11.17 billion (Source: Friends of the Greenbelt). Annually, the value of this carbon storage increases by approximately $51.94 million (Source: Friends of the Greenbelt). The value of the Greenbelt in carbon sequestration is of paramount importance to Ontario’s efforts to limit climate change, as outlined in the current Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan.

I urge your government to reconsider the amendments to the Planning Act. Environmental protection acts were put in place for a reason. Please respect the necessity of these acts and do not allow open for business bylaws to bypass important legislation.