5 Reasons Why We Can’t Afford to Lose the Greenbelt

Why Should We Care About What’s Happening in the Greenbelt?

Ontario’s Greenbelt was established in 2005 to permanently protect 800,000 hectares of land from development in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area. It stretches from the Niagara River to the eastern end of the Oak Ridges Moraine. Photo courtesy of the Greenbelt Foundation.

“The era of global warming has ended…The era of global boiling has arrived.” –United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres

1. Climate Change Is Happening Faster Than We Expected

We’re feeling the disastrous effects of global warming through extreme weather patterns every year: frequent wildfires, droughts, and floods. We’re seeing the impact of climate change on Canadian communities. We need to do everything we can to protect our climate from further damage, because our well-being depends on it.

We know greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (CO2), warm our planet like a solar blanket. Trees are natural “carbon sinks” that absorb the most common greenhouse gas, CO2. Forests are like our lungs, except they take in CO2 and release oxygen. Forests build climate resilience by reducing the amount of CO2 in the air. Even urban greenspaces provide shade and cooling, reducing pollution by lowering our energy consumption and our reliance on air conditioning. So when we protect natural habitats, we’re not only protecting the animals and plants that live within those ecosystems, we’re also protecting our own wellbeing.

Glen Major Forest offers scenic trails for outdoor recreation on the Oak Ridges Moraine. Image source: J.D. Howell, “Glen Major Forest,” 2022, courtesy of the Greenbelt Foundation.

At a time when we need our forests more than ever, wildfires are turning large old growth forests into ashes and billowing clouds of soot. This is a devastating loss. The few remaining intact forests in North America are home to a wealth of tree species, whereas replanted forests contain only a few types of commercially valuable trees. Just as a community needs people who offer different skills to thrive, an old growth forest that is diverse is more robust. This matters to us because healthy ecosystems give us the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and other resources we need.

We must protect the Greenbelt because we cannot afford to lose even more old growth forests to expanding cities.

The good news is that planners have already set aside 59,000 hectares of land for housing within the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area and outside the Greenbelt–an area which is roughly the size of Toronto. That’s more than enough to meet demand for the next 25 years without sacrificing the Greenbelt.

2. Removing Protected Lands Is Not in the Public Interest

The Greenbelt is so vital to the people of Ontario that it is supposed to be permanently protected by law. The decision to remove protected land to zone it for building low density neighbourhoods beyond the suburbs was “biased in favour of certain developers,” according to Ontario’s Auditor General, Bonnie Lysyk. Her report states that the Premier directed the Housing Minister to “complete work to codify processes for swaps, expansions, contractions and policy updates for the Greenbelt.” In other words, the Greenbelt’s protections were removed and land use laws were changed to benefit well-connected developers, not families that need homes, as Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner noted in his report. We know cities need more residential construction. Now is the time to build practical houses on land that is already waiting to be developed within municipalities.

3. We Need Stronger Protections–Not Development–for the Greenbelt

Our rich farmland and wealth of natural resources helped Ontario prosper for generations. Now our expanding population threatens the very land that attracted so many people here in the first place. This is why it’s crucial to protect the Greenbelt from suburban expansion.

“Ontario’s Greenbelt is home to 78 of over 200 provincially listed species at risk in the province, like the bobolink, redside dace and Jefferson salamander. Since being established in 2005, the greenbelt has prevented conversion of natural and agricultural lands into sprawling residential development.”–The David Suzuki Foundation

At-risk species need protected habitats to recover their populations. Upper left: A Monarch butterfly feeds on common milkweed flowers, the only host plant for this species. Image source: “Ganaraska Northumberland Forest,” 2012, courtesy of the Greenbelt Foundation. Upper right: The Eastern meadowlark could be threatened by development near the Rouge Urban National Park. Image source: “Eastern Meadowlark,” 2017 by Yankech Gary / Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0. Lower left: In Canada, the endangered Jefferson salamander lives only along the Niagara Peninsula in Southern Ontario. Image source: “Jefferson salamander,” by Leo Kenney, courtesy of the Greenbelt Foundation. Lower right: The bobolink’s distinctive song is a feature of prairie grasslands and open meadows in southern Ontario. Image source: “Bobolink, Mer Bleue,” 2012 by D Gordon E Robertson / Flickr .

The importance of keeping this ecologically sensitive region intact cannot be overstated. Healthy communities require healthy ecosystems. Since we already have more than enough available land for housing, removing more land from the Greenbelt clearly won’t solve the affordability crisis. In fact, building neighbourhoods in the middle of a forest would require expensive investments to expand the electrical grid and build water pipelines and sewers. Since public transit isn’t practical, more roads such as the proposed Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass would be built. Long commutes worsen traffic congestion and air pollution. This plan just doesn’t make sense. If a few politically influential developers gained billions of dollars from the timely purchase of Greenbelt land (which rightfully belongs to Ontario citizens), then clearly the land prices alone would put these homes out of reach for typical families. Thanks to a sweeping omnibus bill which allowed the province to override municipalities and conservation authorities, Ontario taxpayers would lose the stunningly beautiful lands that rightfully belong to them, and foot the bill for any costs from droughts and flooding caused by the loss of these natural preserves.

4. Importance of Connected Land For Endangered Habitats and Species

The Blanding’s Turtle is one of eight at-risk species of turtles in Ontario. These turtles will be threatened by new development near the Rouge National Urban Park. Photo: Photo: Matt MacGillivray, 2008 / Flickr

Continuous territories provide migration routes for wildlife. Animals need to travel along uninterrupted water and land routes for food and mating. In suburban areas, criss-crossing roads break up the landscape and prevent animals from crossing for hunting. The busier the road, the more hesitant they are to cross. Roads are a significant threat to endangered species of frogs and turtles which are often killed by traffic. Once an endangered species reaches a tipping point it can’t recover. Even small patches of scarce wetlands and grasslands prevent biodiversity loss by connecting wildlife. Biodiversity matters to us because a thriving environment requires a range of plants and animals. Our own well-being depends on it. Not only do we need a variety of animal species, but we also need the plants that are well-adapted to grow in this region. Native plants reduce erosion and provide food and shelter for wildlife.

Migrating Canada geese fly south every fall. They feast on land and in waterways to fuel their flight. Image source: “Into the GB Rouge Park,” 2016, courtesy of the Greenbelt Foundation.

5. Ontario Farmland Is Under Intense Pressure

Farmland is under intense pressure in Ontario. Every single day, 319 acres of farmland are lost. This isn’t sustainable for farmers or the environment. The best land and climate for farming is in the most southern parts of Ontario. Good farmland is becoming scarce, creating another affordability crisis for young families. Loss of local farmland makes us too dependent on imported food, and reduces our food security in an international crisis. Agriculture helps Ontario’s economy prosper. Farmland is better for wildlife than suburbs, because animals can move through agricultural land more easily than through neighbourhoods. So it’s essential to save farmland in the Greenbelt.

Image source: “Farm green crops holland marsh HQI,” by Tim Hagen, courtesy of Ontario Nature.

Which Areas Are Affected by Proposed Development?

The Oak Ridges Moraine is one of Ontario’s most ecologically sensitive and unique landforms. Sculpted by glaciers that once covered the earth, this area includes continuous parcels of land such as forests that contain migration routes for a spectacular variety of at-risk animal species, rare original prairie grasslands, and restored farmland. Many residents of Caledon strongly oppose the loss of protections, and the rezoning order may be rolled back in their region. This is under review, but nothing has been officially confirmed. Left: “Oak Ridges Moraine,” 2007, by Jason Kalmbach. Right: “Oak Ridges Moraine,” 2008, by Kim Lowes. Photos courtesy of Ontario Nature.

Holland Marsh is a vital watershed, essential for drainage in the Lake Simcoe region. Wetlands act as a buffer system, protecting the land from both flooding and droughts. Just as forests are like the lungs of our planet, wetlands are like its kidneys because they are powerful water purifiers, filtering out pollutants and silt from water ways. Home to many unique trees and plants, wetlands maintain streams and the water table. Vegetation provides food and shelter for aquatic animals, and prevents erosion. Image source: “Holland Marsh Crown Land,” 2019, by Sam Cava, courtesy of Ontario Nature.

Muck soils from Holland Marsh enrich the soil for bountiful vegetable crops. Image source: Photo courtesy of the Greenbelt Foundation.

Proposed development in the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP) poses an environmental threat to at-risk wildlife and their habitat near Rouge Urban National Park. The potential negative impacts on this ecosystem, the economy, and human well-being are cause for concern. Development in this region is potentially unlawful and may be subject to a Federal assessment. Upper: J. D. Howell, 2022, “Seaton Hiking Trail 7.” Lower: “Spring Wetland,” 2015. Photos courtesy of the Greenbelt Foundation.

The City of Hamilton opposes housing developments on former Greenbelt land that should be protected. Image source: “Mount Albion Conservation Area, Hamilton,” by Michael Hunter, CC BY 2.0. Photo courtesy of Ontario Nature.

This summer, wildfires showed us that we need to do everything we can to prevent environmental decline. Global warming worsens pollution and pollution worsens global warming. Good air quality is even more important for our health than water. Although clean water is absolutely essential, we only drink about two litres of water a day. We breathe thousands of litres of air each day, and we cannot go without air for more than a few minutes. Our forests absorb CO2 and replenish oxygen. Our wetlands purify our water. Our land provides us with food and other necessary resources. We cannot separate ourselves from the natural world and we cannot survive without a healthy environment. So we must find ways to solve modern problems without destroying parts of our Greenbelt.

We cannot afford to lose this natural treasure.