Toronto Star: Ontario farmland under threat

Thanks to the Toronto Star and reporter Susan Pigg for delving into the critical issue of urban sprawl vs the protection of vital agricultural lands. The paper has published a feature article on the topic, detailing the conflict between developing prime farmland for housing and preserving the rare land for food production. Ontario is home to Canada’s largest agri-food sector which pumps $34-billion into the economy each year and employs more than 700-thousand people. How does the province balance the need to protect its prime farmland for a thriving industry and food security with the housing demands of a growing population?

Food & Water First’s Carl Cosack is quoted in the Star article: “We need to really look at how planning has been playing out already and develop better planning directives so we have the ability to grow the food that Ontarians need.”  

The Star quotes a report that has identified 264,000-acres of land already approved or designated for development, suggesting there’s no urgent need to expand any closer to the Greenbelt and Whitebelt areas.  This echoes what Toronto’s Chief Planner, Jennifer Keesmaat, told Steve Paikin on a recent episode of TVO’s The Agenda.

Read the Toronto Star article here: Ontario Farmland Under Threat as Demand for Housing Grows

*Image: Jason Van Bruggen

“A real politician would have saved all the Class 1, 2 and 3 farmland.”

Writer Catherine Porter met with some Greenbelt farmers to see how they feel about the protected region 10 years after it was implemented. After some trepidation at the beginning, it seems they’re quite happy with the Greenbelt. In fact, one farmer says the province should have gone much further. Ontario Farmers Grow to Appreciate the Greenbelt

David Crombie heads Greenbelt review

The province has announced that former Toronto Mayor David Crombie will be in charge of the panel that will review the Greenbelt, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, the Niagara Escarpment Plan and Greater Golden Horseshoe Plan. The news from Queen’s Park also included a pledge from the Municipal Affairs Minister, Ted McMeekin. He says the government wants to “grow the Greenbelt” and protect more farmland. Let’s get growing!

Toronto Star: Former Mayor will lead Greenbelt review