ontario’s greenbelt - cre-montréal · ontario’s greenbelt shelley petrie, program director...
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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