Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott’s proposal to establish an Ontario Green Legacy Program to mark Ontario’s 150th anniversary has been endorsed by the Ontario Legislature.
On Oct. 22, the Legislature voted unanimously to pass Arnott’s Private Member’s Resolution calling on the government to plant 150 million trees beginning in 2017.
“An Ontario Green Legacy Program could be a legacy that all of us in this House can claim as our collective gift to the generations to come,” Arnott said during his closing remarks in the debate.
With Wellington County CAO Scott Wilson, Green Legacy committee chair Mark Van Patter, and Green Legacy nursery manager Rob Johnson on hand to watch the debate, Arnott acknowledged the work of county officials.
“I want to once again express my admiration for the County of Wellington, for the outstanding leadership they have shown in launching their Green Legacy Program and maintaining it on an ongoing basis, such that it has grown into the largest municipal tree planting program in North America,” Arnott told the House.
Van Patter said when the county “first started down this road, it was a large challenge. But we found that we could succeed with the involvement of the community.
“With the support of the House and Arnott’s resolution I find that I am hopeful and know that we in the province can succeed.”
“I congratulate Ted Arnott on bringing forward this proposal, and I applaud the Legislature for supporting it unanimously,” stated Wellington County Warden George Bridge. “This validates the importance the county places on building healthy communities and establishing legacies for our youth and generations to follow.”
Arnott said he intends to follow up with the Minister of Natural Resources to see that the government follows through “to [make] Ontario Green Legacy a reality.”
