The Ontario government says it is taking action to protect water resources in the Greater Golden Horseshoe by launching a public consultation on expanding the province’s Greenbelt.
The province announced on Dec. 7 it is considering expanding the Greenbelt to include areas in the outer ring of the Greater Golden Horseshoe, an area the province says is experiencing significant growth and is under pressure from urban development.
The public, municipalities, conservation authorities, stakeholders and Indigenous communities and organizations are invited to provide input on a study area for potential Greenbelt expansion, states the announcement.
The consultation comprises seven areas most in need of protection, including moraines, cold water streams and wetlands located in the outer ring of the Greater Golden Horseshoe. This area also includes valuable water resources that communities rely on for water supply.
In Wellington County, the study area encompasses the Orangeville Moraine and the Waterloo and Paris/Galt moraine complex, which includes the entire Township of Puslinch and almost the entire Town of Erin, both of which already have lands in the Greenbelt.
The study area also includes portions of Guelph-Eramosa, including areas surrounding Rockwood, Everton and Eden Mills, as well as the east portion of Centre Wellington.
Ontario’s Greenbelt currently protects roughly 810,000 hectares of green space, farmland, vibrant communities, forests, wetlands and watersheds.
“Water is critical to the health and prosperity of the Greater Golden Horseshoe and is under increasing pressure from growth,” said Edward McDonnell, CEO of Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation.
Read the consultation document at mah.gov.on.ca/Page17658.aspx and give feedback:
– online at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs website;
– through the Environmental Registry posting (EBR registry number: 013-1661);
– by email to protectingwater@ontario.ca;
– by mail to Protecting Water, Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Provincial Planning Policy Branch, 777 Bay Street, 13th Floor, Toronto, ON M5G 2E5; or
– at a yet-to-be-scheduled open house in January/February.
The feedback deadline is March 7.
