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37-579: Created by legislation passed by the Government of Ontario in 2005, the Greenbelt is considered a prevention of urban development and sprawl on environmentally sensitive land in the province. According to the Greenbelt Foundation, the Greenbelt includes 2,000,000 acres (810,000 ha) of land. That includes 721,000 acres (292,000 ha) of protected wetlands, grasslands, and forests. The Greenbelt

74-632: A "Friend of the Greenbelt" award that serves to "recognize and celebrate those individuals who make a significant contribution to Ontario's Greenbelt." In 2006, singer Sarah Harmer was selected by the Foundation for her "I love the Escarpment" tour, which aims to protect the Niagara Escarpment. In 2007, former Premier William Grenville Davis was presented with the award for adopting the 1973 Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, which created

111-479: A bill that would restore the Greenbelt lands removed in 2022 and that any future changes to the Greenbelt would have to go through the legislature. The Greenbelt provides regulatory protection from urban development pressure due to this population growth. While protecting prime agricultural land is its primary purpose, it is actually a bundle of other key elements to also protect rural area, heritage sites, and sensitive ecological and hydrological features, which include

148-627: A cartel economy." In late April 2018, during the 2018 Ontario general election campaign, Doug Ford , leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party discussed the Greenbelt in a video released to the news media. Ford said that he would open the protected area to development if he was elected. His assurance to developers was made on the claim that the cost of new homes in the GTA and Hamilton area could be reduced if additional land were made available. Tim Gray, executive director of

185-578: A decade of new development. Facing pressure from realtors and home builders to decrease the size of the Greenbelt to allow for expansion of housing developments, Premier Kathleen Wynne said that the 27 April 2017 Provincial Budget will not diminish the protected lands. "We're committed to growing the Greenbelt not shrinking the Greenbelt," she explained. According to the Neptis Foundation (a publisher of nonpartisan research on urban regions), there are roughly 45,000 acres still available for development in

222-405: A developer involved in the Greenbelt land swap. The next day, Ford announced that after continuous backlash from constituents and two reports regarding the flawed process of opening the Greenbelt he would reverse his decision to open the Greenbelt to development. He apologized to the people of Ontario and promised to encourage building within urban boundaries. On October 16, Minister Calandra tabled

259-681: A moratorium on some land uses until a specific plan was established. Bill 135, the Greenbelt Act, 2005 was introduced to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for first reading of the bill in October 2004, and became law on February 28, 2005. It now provides permanent protection for the Greenbelt area. In 2015, the Greenbelt Plan started its 10-year review in coordination with the Growth Plan for

296-700: A part of the government themselves. BPS organizations are also subject to legislation and directives. Public servants who are paid $ 100,000 or more are subject to the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act. This list is colloquially known as the sunshine list . Environmental Defence Canada Environmental Defence (formerly known as the Canadian Environmental Defence Fund ) is a Canadian environmental organization , founded in 1984. Environmental Defence works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water,

333-627: A safe climate and healthy communities. The organization was founded in 1984. Environmental Defence spearheaded education campaigns in Ontario to advocate for the creation of a Greenbelt , tighter controls on development impacting Lake Simcoe , and the dangers of BPA , resulting in legislative changes such as the adoption of the Lake Simcoe Protection Act and the ban of BPA in baby bottles. Additionally, its efforts to raise public awareness about biodiversity and renewable energy contributed to

370-637: Is projected to increase to 11.5 million by 2031. The idea of establishing a greenbelt in Ontario was created by Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty in his Speech from the Throne in November 2003. Bill 27, the Greenbelt Protection Act, 2004 became law on June 24, 2004. The new legislation, in conjunction with a zoning order issued by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, created a study area and placed

407-494: Is protected due to the many unique species and prime recreation grounds. Tourism associated with the escarpment contributes $ 100 million to local and regional economies. The Oak Ridges Moraine covers a 1,900 square kilometres (734 sq mi) between Caledon and Rice Lake , near Peterborough . It is a hydrological system of streams, wetlands, kettle lakes and ponds and their catchment areas , seepage areas, springs , and aquifers and other recharge areas. The Friends of

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444-706: Is the body responsible for the administration of the Canadian province of Ontario . The term Government of Ontario refers specifically to the executive—political ministers of the Crown (the Cabinet/Executive Council), appointed on the advice of the premier, and the non-partisan Ontario Public Service (whom the Executive Council directs), who staff ministries and agencies to deliver government policies, programs, and services—which corporately brands itself as

481-733: The 2018 election ; the 26th since Confederation . The Government of Ontario employs 63,000+ public servants in its non-partisan workforce called the Ontario Public Service (OPS). The OPS helps the government design and deliver policies and programs. The head of the OPS is the Secretary of Cabinet and each ministry in the OPS has a Deputy Minister. The OPS public servants work in areas like administration, communications, data analytics, finance, information technology, law, policy, program development, service delivery, science and research. Over 80% of

518-681: The Government of Ontario , or more formally, His Majesty's Government of Ontario ( French : Gouvernement de l’Ontario de Sa Majesté ). King  Charles III , as monarch of Canada is also the King in Right of Ontario. As a Commonwealth realm, the Canadian monarch is shared with 14 other independent countries within the Commonwealth of Nations . Within Canada, the monarch exercises power individually on behalf of

555-873: The Niagara Escarpment and the Oak Ridges Moraine . Agriculture protection is the primary element of the Greenbelt legislation. It prevents municipalities from re-zoning areas identified as "prime agricultural areas," "specialty crop areas," and "rural areas" identified by the province for other uses. The three areas compile the Protected Countryside (PC) element. The PC includes areas like the Holland Marsh , which produces over $ 50 million of carrots , onions and other popular vegetables in very fertile soil. Other fruits and vegetables, dairy , beef , pork , poultry , and wine grapes are produced throughout

592-520: The federal government , and the 10 provinces. The powers of the Crown are vested in the monarch and are exercised by the lieutenant governor. The advice of the premier and Executive Council is typically binding; the Constitution Act, 1867 requires executive power to be exercised only "by and with the Advice of the Executive Council". The lieutenant governor is appointed by the governor general , on

629-493: The Climate-Aligned Finance Act. Environmental Defence has a number of different areas of focus, including the following: Environmental Defence has led cutting edge research in its areas of focus.In the last ten years, Environmental Defence has produced milestone reports, listed below. To access all of its reports, including reports published before 2017, please visit the website . This article related to

666-594: The GTHA, adequate until at least 2031. Research conducted by the CBC confirms that a great deal of land is available in both Halton Region and Toronto; for example 6,000 and 118,610 housing units, respectively, have been approved but not built. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton commented to the CBC about developers in late March 2017 that "we've given them serviced land they're sitting on." Toronto's Chief Planner Jennifer Keesmaat added that "builders control supply in this region. We live in

703-753: The Greater Golden Horseshoe , the Niagara Escarpment Plan , and the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan . As part of the review, the Province gathered public feedback through a series of community meetings and online engagement. The Province released a discussion document to "help inform and guide discussions." The deadline for feedback on the proposed changes for the Co-ordinated Land Use Planning Review

740-464: The Greenbelt Foundation not-for-profit organization was created in 2005 to help foster the Greenbelt in Southern Ontario. The foundation, was provided $ 25 million from the provincial government, and funded many organizations and charities in the Greenbelt, which support agricultural and viticultural activities and restoring the natural environment. The Foundation is also responsible for providing

777-617: The Niagara Escarpment Plan. A report titled Ontario’s Greenbelt in an International Context was released in 2010 by the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy. The report concluded the Ontario greenbelt is the strongest for its supporting legislation versus nine similar greenbelts internationally. A report titled GTHA Rural Property Inequities was released in 2015 in the Township of Scugog . This report concluded

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814-599: The OPS workforce is unionized, which includes the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario . The Government of Ontario is not the same as Broader Public Sector ( BPS ) organizations. While both provide goods and services to Ontarians, BPS organizations receive funding from the Government of Ontario, but are not

851-407: The Ontario greenbelt has many issues to overcome before it is a viable and sustainable proposition. It also concludes many of the supporters of the greenbelt are from metropolitan areas and don't contribute monetarily to its welfare. Government of Ontario Official Opposition [REDACTED] Canada portal The Government of Ontario ( French : Gouvernement de l'Ontario )

888-493: The activities of the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council . The day-to-day operation and activities of the Government of Ontario are performed by the provincial departments and agencies, staffed by the non-partisan Ontario Public Service and directed by the elected government. The premier of Ontario is the first minister of the Crown . The premier acts as the head of government for the province, chairs and selects

925-400: The advice of the prime minister of Canada . Thus, it is typically the lieutenant governor whom the premier and ministers advise, exercising much of the royal prerogative and granting royal assent . While the advice of the premier and Executive Council is typically binding on the lieutenant governor, there are occasions when the lieutenant governor has refused advice. This usually occurs if

962-491: The construction of affordable homes under $ 500,000 for "newcomers and young people" on the Greenbelt. He also stated more applications to remove land from the Greenbelt would be reviewed. He did not answer a reporter's question about reinstating Rent Control, nor did he comment on calls from First Nation Chiefs across Ontario to return traditional territories to the Greenbelt. On September 20, another minister from Ford's cabinet, Kaleed Rasheed , resigned over his relationship with

999-626: The decision was made. A total of 7,400 acres of Greenbelt land was removed, while 9,400 acres of land was added. On August 9, 2023, the Auditor General released a report on the Greenbelt swap-out which found the government's flawed process had favoured certain developers who stood to earn over $ 8 billion. The AG also confirmed that alterations to the Greenbelt were not necessary to reach Ontario's housing target and that Housing Minister Steve Clark 's chief of staff "failed to consider environmental, agricultural and financial risks and impacts". Calls from

1036-586: The environmentalist group Environmental Defence , reminded the news media that "municipal data shows that there is enough land available to provide for housing development within existing Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area urban boundaries until 2031." The next day, Ford reversed his position and said he would not develop the protected area. After re-election in 2022, and amidst a worsening housing and affordability crisis, Premier Doug Ford became embroiled in controversy over properties released from Greenbelt protection. One developer had purchased property shortly before

1073-409: The implementation of a carbon pollution price across Canada. Environmental Defence also played a role in the drafting of federal regulations banning six single-use plastics , strengthening Canada's toxics law (CEPA), and saving Ontario’s Greenbelt from development. Moreover, its advocacy efforts resulted in the drafting of new rules requiring the availability of electric vehicles (EVs) and the tabling of

1110-521: The lieutenant governor after either a motion of no confidence or defeat in a general election . In Canada, the Cabinet (French: Conseil des ministres , lit.   'council of ministers') of provincial and territorial governments are known as an Executive Council ( French : Conseil exécutif ). The premier of Ontario is Doug Ford of the Progressive Conservatives since

1147-515: The membership of the Cabinet , and advises the Crown on the exercise of executive power and much of the royal prerogative . As premiers hold office by virtue of their ability to command the confidence of the elected Legislative Assembly , they typically sit as a MPP and lead the largest party or a coalition in the Assembly. Once sworn in, the premier holds office until their resignation or removal by

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1184-426: The opposition for Clark to resign were resisted by Ford and Clark himself, but Clark's chief of staff stepped down. At the end of August, Ontario's Integrity Commissioner found Clark had broken ethics rules, and on September 4, Clark tendered his resignation and was replaced by Paul Calandra . The following day, Ford reiterated he would follow 14 of the Auditor General's 15 recommendations but would proceed with allowing

1221-722: The passage of the Endangered Species Act and the Green Energy and Economy Act in Ontario. Environmental Defence successfully advocated for the ban or restriction of phthalates in Canadian toys, raised awareness about the dangers of microbeads, and contributed to the passing of the Great Lakes Protection Act. Additionally, its efforts led to the cancellation of the Energy East oil pipeline, secured rules supporting charities' participation in public policy, and influenced

1258-413: The premier does not clearly command the confidence of the elected Legislative Assembly. The executive power is vested in the Crown and exercised "in-Council", meaning on the advice of the Executive Council; conventionally, this is the Cabinet, which is chaired by the premier and comprises ministers of the Crown . The term Government of Ontario , or more formally, His Majesty's Government refers to

1295-527: The region. The Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve is a geological formation reaching 725 kilometres long and up to 500 metres tall. It began as coastline of the Michigan Basin 450 million years ago. It was designated as one of 15 UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves in Canada in 1990. It is managed jointly by Ministry of Natural Resources and the Niagara Escarpment Commission . The area

1332-623: Was 31 October 2016 and the Provincial Government expected to release specifics about the future plan in "early 2017". The Building Industry and Land Development Association, a lobby group for the development and construction industry in Ontario, claimed that the Greenbelt and other anti-sprawl policies are responsible for the lack of affordable housing in southern Ontario. Urban planners dispute this, stating that large amounts of land in southern Ontario set aside for development remained unused as of 2016 and would be sufficient to support over

1369-640: Was established around the Golden Horseshoe , one of the fastest growing urban areas in North America . The population in the region increased from 6.5 to 7.7 million between 1991 and 2001. The population increase put urban development pressure on areas surrounding Greater Toronto and Hamilton. Between 1996 and 2001, the amount of farmland decreased by 7% in the GTA , and by 6% in Hamilton . The Golden Horseshoe's population

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