The Greenbelt Plan Review: Understanding Short & Long-Term Impacts on Ontario Agriculture. A Panel Discussion

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Elmer Brooks
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1 The Greenbelt Plan Review: Understanding Short & Long-Term Impacts on Ontario Agriculture A Panel Discussion

2 Key Perspectives on the Greenbelt from the Agricultural and Planning Communities Wayne Caldwell Director, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph

3 Objectives of the Project: This project will: (i) identify the actual challenges and barriers faced by individual farm operations and the potential solutions from the perspective of farm operators across the Greenbelt; and, (ii) provide specific policy, program and other recommendations to address the challenges and barriers identified.

4 Niagara Perspectives: Greenbelt Plan Review To develop an informed perspective on the benefits, challenges, and opportunities for change related to the Greenbelt Plan in Niagara Niagara Region Stakeholders Working Group Urban Strategies Inc. The Public Elected Officials

5 Prioritize Agricultural Viability & Support Farmers Coordinated Provincial Support & Implementation Successful Land Protection Review Process: Engage Early & Broadly Increase Flexibility

6 Ontario Farmland Trust Farmland Forum March 7, 2014 Greenbelt Plan: Agriculture Barb Konyi, MMAH

Countryside The Greenbelt was created in response to: o increasing urban development pressure o the

7 The Greenbelt Plan The Greenbelt protects nearly 2 million acres of agricultural and environmentally sensitive lands in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt Plan: Protected Countryside The Greenbelt was created in response to: o increasing urban development pressure o the loss and fragmentation of agricultural lands o the loss and fragmentation of important ecological features and functions 7

8 8 Specialty Crop Areas

Greenbelt Plan Agricultural Policies The Greenbelt Agricultural System provides a continuous and permanent land base to support agriculture as the

re-designation Permits normal farm practices, agriculture-related, and secondary uses Minimum 40 acres for new lots Prime Agricultural Areas As identified in

9 Greenbelt Plan Agricultural Policies The Greenbelt Agricultural System provides a continuous and permanent land base to support agriculture as the predominant land use Specialty Crop Areas Niagara Peninsula Tender Fruit & Grape Area & Holland Marsh Highest level of protection: no urban expansion or re-designation Permits normal farm practices, agriculture-related, and secondary uses Minimum 40 acres for new lots Prime Agricultural Areas As identified in municipal official plans No re-designation for non-agricultural uses Permits normal farm practices, agriculture-related, and secondary uses Minimum 100 acres for new lots 9

Greenbelt Plan Agricultural Policies The Greenbelt Plan aims to protect against the loss and fragmentation of agricultural land, and increase certainty for the

designations during conformity No new multiple unit/lot residential development Natural Heritage System Permits a full range of existing and new agricultural,

10 Greenbelt Plan Agricultural Policies The Greenbelt Plan aims to protect against the loss and fragmentation of agricultural land, and increase certainty for the agricultural sector Rural Areas As identified in municipal official plans Upper and single tiers had the opportunity to refine prime agricultural and rural area designations during conformity No new multiple unit/lot residential development Natural Heritage System Permits a full range of existing and new agricultural, agriculture-related, secondary uses, and normal farm practices New agricultural buildings are subject to natural feature policies, not natural heritage system policies 10

11 Specialty Crop Areas Holland Marsh Niagara Peninsula Tender Fruit & Grape Area 11

12 12 Specialty Crop Areas

13 Panel Questions 10 years in, what impact has the Greenbelt had on farmland preservation in the Greater Golden Horseshoe region? How is agriculture faring in the Golden Horseshoe, within and outside the Greenbelt area?

14 Panel Questions Is there a strong enough emphasis on the protection of agricultural systems and support for the agricultural economy in the Greenbelt Plan? Are we finding the right balance between agriculture and rural uses, natural heritage protection and settlement areas?

15 Panel Questions What can communities outside the Greenbelt learn from the policies and implementation of the Greenbelt Plan? Are there certain principles or elements of the Greenbelt Plan that could be applied to strength the protection of important farmlands and agriculture in other parts of the province?

16 Table Discussion Questions What are your observations or concerns about the Greenbelt Plan and its implementation? What recommendations would you make to the province as part of the upcoming Greenbelt Plan review to improve the protection of farmland and agriculture in the region?

Protecting and Maintaining Canada s Agricultural Land for Food Production

Protecting and Maintaining Canada s Agricultural Land for Food Production Presentation to 3 rd Annual Food Summit Conference Board of Canada March 2014 The Lay of the Land Presentation A look at Canada