This letter confirms the Federation of Urban Neighborhood’s strong support for the expansion of the Greenbelt in the Outer Ring of the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH), and the provincially led process underway to define the study area, with a focus on important water features under pressure from urban development.
March 7, 2018
Provincial Planning Policy Branch
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
By Email: pr*************@on*****.ca
RE: Protecting Water for Future Generations: Growing the Greenbelt in the Outer Ring, December 2017
The Federation of Urban Neighborhoods strongly supports the expansion of the Greenbelt in the Outer Ring of the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH).
We also welcome the provincially led process underway to define the study area, and its focus to preserve important water features under pressure from urban development. We further hope that the ministry considers designating other watersheds not in the study area for similar protection.
The Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods Ontario (FUN) includes residents’ associations in several urban communities in the GGH, who are aware of the importance, and sensitivity of the ecological assets of the region and the increasing pressures from a growing population.
While we appreciate the challenges in coming up with a sound methodology for defining the study area, we would urge the government to move forward as soon as possible with a defined area. We also recommend that the government address the need for “interim measures” to ensure that the potential lands are not “stolen” by opportunistic development that takes advantage of the delays inherent in the process.
Finally, we would reiterate that urban dwellers, not just rural communities, in the GGH need to be aware of, and have a stake in these proceedings. As such, we recommend that public consultation not be limited to communities within or close to the study area.
We would appreciate being kept informed of the results of the review, and would be pleased to participate in any discussion arising.
Yours faithfully,
Archie Campbell
President
c.c. Premier Kathleen Wynne, MPP
Bill Mauro, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Chris Ballard, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
Hon. Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs