Ontario’s greenbelt is a…

Ontario’s greenbelt is a relatively recent name for a geologic feature that has been part of the land’s history for thousands of years. Especially the Oak Ridges Moraine portion of the greenbelt contains invaluable natural resources, including some of the most pristine water on Earth and important ecosystems such as wetlands.

The greenbelt can be considered invaluable from many perspectives: natural heritage, species habitat, and natural resources. But even from a narrow view of human wealth and wellbeing, the greenbelt is critical to sustainable human survival in southern Ontario. This is one of the main reasons why it was initially protected not long ago - to ensure human survival for hundreds and hopefully thousands of years to come. To survive, we need fresh water. We need species diversity, which equals food security. We also need natural land for many aspects of well-being we’re barely beginning to understand through scientific research.

Yes, we need housing and means of transportation. But not as badly as we need life itself. And there are other places to build, upward and more densely. We cannot afford to sacrifice our future survival in the interests of convenient development today.

This government has seen the weight of workers rights come into play recently. Land rights are another issue that concern everyone. Consider the cost of doing something that removes public land rights, against the cost of continuing conservation. Currently, the proposed development on the greenbelt is illegal. It will be in the future. Make the right choice now.