With the Greenbelt under threat, advocates now worry about plans to build transit, wastewater infrastructure and housing on the sensitive Moraine.
The Caledon farmer has been a leader in the movement to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine, a vital ecological and hydrological component of the Greenbelt, for the past 30 years.
“I think what their recent actions show is that they don’t care,” said Crandall, with the advocacy group Save the Oak Ridges Moraine. “This is not about saving a species of frog, it’s about science, it’s about climate change resiliency, curbing loss of biodiversity, protecting freshwater … but their policies show that they don’t care. And that’s so chilling.”. The province removed 7,400 acres of land that was once deemed untouchable and sacrosanct from protection in November.
The borders of the moraine were determined through extensive studies by experts and government officials who mapped the boundaries using natural heritage and hydrogeological surveys. The Moraine has largely remained off-limits from development since the 2001, when the legislation was introduced under Mike Harris. Even though the land is protected, there are different designations on the land including Natural Core Areas, which are critical to maintaining integrity of Moraine and have very restricted uses, Natural Linkage Areas, Countryside Areas and Settlement Areas, where development is allowed.
King City councillors said they did not support the redesignation. Neither did York Region: “Once lands have been removed from the Greenbelt/Oak Ridges Moraine without criteria, it is likely other landowners will follow suit adding pressure for additional development,” said Paul Freeman, Chief Planner for the Region.
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