Ontario’s Greenbelt

Shelley Petrie, Program DirectorFriends of the Greenbelt Foundation

September 24, 2013

Ontario’s Greenbelt

Shelley Petrie, Program DirectorFriends of the Greenbelt Foundation

September 24, 2013

Toronto Region

Vision

Protects against the loss and fragmentation of

agriculture land base + supports agriculture

as the predominant use.

Gives permanent protection to natural system

and water resources to sustain the region.

Provides for a diverse range of economic and

social activities that meet the objectives of the

Greenbelt.

Why It Works: Strong Governance

Governed by the Province

Integrated into larger growth management

plan for the region

Greenbelt Act, 2005 provides legal authority

to implement the Greenbelt Plan

Municipal Official Plans must conform with

land-use policies in the Greenbelt Plan

10 year Review

Why It Works: Permanent Boundary

Minister cannot make an amendment to the

Plan that would reduce the total land area

Ministry staff are clear that land swaps are not

the intent of the Plan

Only modest rural settlement area expansions

or “rounding out”, may be possible for towns

and villages in the Plan

Expansion, external connections encouraged

Why It Works: Stronger Protection Policies

Policies promote a “systems” approach +

higher protection of features

Agricultural System

Natural Systems Policies

• Builds and maintains linkages

• Full range of agriculture uses permitted

• New development or site alternation must:

comply with features protection

maintain linkages

removal of other natural features avoided

disturbed area restrictions

Why It Works: Greenbelt Supported by

Investments: Culture, recreation and tourism

policies; Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation

Champions: Ontario Greenbelt Alliance,

Municipal Leaders for the Greenbelt

Overwhelming Public Support: over 90% in

the region

Charitable, public, and independent with a $45 million from the Province, plus project funding

Goal: Beneficial, valuable, and permanent Greenbelt

We undertake:

Grant Making

Research

Communications

Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation & Fund

Local Food Procurement

Greenbelt Farmers’ Markets

Cootes to Escarpment Park

Country Stewardship Network

Love the Ravines Campaign

Shortcomings of Greenbelt Plan

•Concurrent planning for both highway

expansion and new highways

•Plan allows for aggregate extraction

•Could have town/village expansions at 10

year review (2015)

•Achievement of the plan’s objectives require

proactive efforts on behalf of a number of

ministries

•No obligation on the province to prepare an

annual progress report

How It Happened

Greenbelt Act, 2005

• Legislation provided authority to establish a

Greenbelt Plan

• Placed a moratorium on urban development

• Defined the Study Area

How It Happened

Greenbelt Task Force Proposed Direction:

• Greenbelt should be permanent

• Based on a systems approach

• Include lands already protected

• Include lands which provinces has an

interest in

Layering Process to determine maps

Consultations

Education

Greenbelt Cycle Route

Join Us

2015