Ontario Celebrates Greenbelt's
Second Anniversary
The February 28, 2007 press release indicates the Ontario
government is celebrating the second anniversary of the Greenbelt,
which permanently protects more than 1.8 million acres of
agricultural and environmentally sensitive land around the
Greater Golden Horseshoe. However, the Greenbelt still has
challenges as stated on the The Greenbelt
Alliance website, “The report, released on the second
anniversary of the Greenbelt, finds the government has done
a good job of defending the Greenbelt boundaries, and of greening
the Greenbelt by designating provincially-owned land as protected
parkland. But, the government is failing to protect sensitive
ecological areas in the Greenbelt that are still under threat
from highways, roads, sewer pipes, quarries and urban sprawl.”
A significant portion of the Greenbelt includes the Niagara
Escarpment, the Bruce Peninsula running up to Tobermory and
incorporates Georgian Bay watersheds and shorelines.
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing John Gerretsen
said "We welcome the Greenbelt Alliance's report card
because it clearly indicates that we are on the right track.
The Greenbelt is an important legacy for future generations
of which we can all be
proud." The Greenbelt permanently protects some of Ontario's
most valuable green spaces, farmland, forests, wetlands and
watersheds. "The Greenbelt is an innovative planning
tool that protects some of Canada's richest farmlands from
random urban sprawl," said Jim Bradley, Minister of Tourism
and Minister Responsible for the Greenbelt Foundation. "It
also cleanses the water we drink and the air we breathe, as
well as preserving recreational lands for millions of Ontarians
to enjoy." "By preserving and protecting a significant
area of green space and natural ecosystems, the Greenbelt
is creating a living legacy that will make a real difference
to the health of our environment and the health and quality
of life for Ontarians," said Laurel Broten, Ontario's
Environment Minister.
The Greenbelt continued to earn accolades in its second year.
According to The Toronto Star, a recent Decima Research poll
found that 89 per cent of residents in the Greater Toronto
Area "support the greenbelt asa way to ensure cities
in Greater Toronto remain liveable and environmentallyhealthy."
As well, in October 2006, the Environmental Commissioner
of Ontario announced that he plans to present a special award
to the Government of Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment Commission
recognizing their accomplishments in establishing Ontario's
Greenbelt.
Greenbelt Initiatives in 2006 included:
- Developing a Greenbelt curriculum resource guide for
teachers to use in environment, geography and English classes
- Supporting the Greenbelt Farm Stewardship Program and
the Oak Ridges Moraine Environmental Enhancement Program,
which helps protect soil, water and habitat resources in
partnership with the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation,
Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation, conservation groups, farm
organizations and the Government of Canada
- Dedicating an additional 1,500 acres of significant natural
land to Rouge Park on February 13, 2007.
For further information: Patti Munce, Minister Gerretsen's
Office, (416)
585-6333; Audrey Bennett, Provincial Planning and Environmental
Services
Branch, (416) 585-6072
Websites Providing Insight Into the Ontario Greenbelt with
maps following the Greenbelt geographic boundaries through
Ontario up the Niagara Escarpment, the Bruce Peninsula to
Tobermory
The
Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation
Ontario
Greenbelt Alliance
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