Reconciling Our Priorities

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Reconciling Our Priorities reconciling our priorities reconciling reconciling annual report 2006–2007 our environmental commissioner of ontario environmental commissioner of ontario environmental annual report 2006–2007 priorities This Annual Report is printed on Canadian-made Rolland Enviro100 paper manufactured from 100% post-consumer waste fibre, is Process Chlorine Free (PCF) and used BioGas in its production (an alternative “green energy” source produced from decomposing waste collected from landfill sites) to reduce greenhouse emissions and the depletion of the ozone layer. Rolland Enviro100 saves the harvesting of mature trees, reduces solid waste that would have gone into landfill sites, uses 80% less water than conven- tional paper manufacturing and helps reduce air and water pollution. Certified Processed Chlorine Free 100% Post-Consumer Waste Fibre Recyclable Where facilities Exist Green Energy Source Environmental Commissioner of Ontario 1075 Bay Street, Suite 605 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B1 Telephone: 416-325-3377 Fax: 416-325-3370 Toll Free: 1-800-701-6454 www.eco.on.ca Disponible en français ISSN 1205-7649 ECO Staff List 2006/2007 ROBERT BLAQUIERE Systems, Webmaster & Case Manager EMILY CHATTEN Policy & Decision Analyst BEV DOTTIN Information Officer DENNIS DRAPER Senior Policy Advisor HAYLEY EASTO Communications & Outreach Coordinator LIZ FARKAS Library Assistant CARRIE HACKETT Resource Centre Librarian GREG JENISH Policy & Decision Analyst MICHELLE KASSEL Policy & Decision Analyst PETER LAPP Executive Assistant LYNDA LUKASIK Policy & Decision Analyst DAVID MCROBERT In-House Counsel/Sr. Policy Advisor RACHEL MELZER Policy & Decision Analyst CYNTHIA ROBINSON Office Administrator NADINE SAWH Case Management Assistant ELLEN SCHWARTZEL Senior Manager – Policy Analysis LISA SHULTZ Policy & Decision Analyst CHRIS WILKINSON Policy & Decision Analyst FIZZZ DESIGN CORP. Designed and Produced by annual report 2006–2007 environmental commissioner of ontario 225 Environmental Commissaire à Commissioner l’environnement of Ontario de l’Ontario Gord Miller, B.Sc., M.Sc. Gord Miller, B.Sc., M.Sc. Commissioner Commissaire November 2007 The Honourable Michael A. Brown Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario Room 180, Legislative Building Legislative Assembly Province of Ontario Queen’s Park Dear Speaker: In accordance with Section 58 of the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993, I am pleased to present the 2006/2007 annual report of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario for your submission to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Sincerely, Gord Miller Environmental Commissioner of Ontario 1075 Bay Street, Suite 605 1075, rue Bay, bureau 605 Toronto, Ontario M5S 2B1 Toronto (Ontario) M5S 2B1 Tel: (416) 325-3377 Tél: (416) 325-3377 Fax: (416) 325-3370 Téléc. (416) 325-3370 1-800-701-6454 1-800-701-6454 Table of Contents Commissioner’s Message: Reconciling Our Priorities (is no piece of cake) | 4 Part 1 | The Environmental Bill of Rights | 6 The ECO Recognition Award | 10 Education | 11 Part 2 | Significant Issues | 12 Irreconcilable Priorities: The Challenge of Creating Sustainable Communities in Southern Ontario | 14 Living Sustainably Within a Watershed, OR Pushing Beyond Natural Limits? | 22 Creating a Sustainable Transportation System, OR Paving Over the Landscape? | 28 Protecting Wetlands, OR Draining for Development? | 35 Preserving Natural Areas, OR Extracting Aggregates Wherever They Lie? | 44 Growth and the Environment of Southern Ontario: Some Final Thoughts | 49 Developing Priorities: The Challenge of Creating a Sustainable Planning System in Northern Ontario | 51 A Region of Continental Ecological Importance | 57 The Need to Systematically Plan for the North? | 58 Land Use Planning in the Northern Boreal Initiative (NBI) Area | 60 Forestry and Wood Supply | 61 Reforming Mining Law | 64 Big Picture Approach to Planning | 69 Conserving Woodland Caribou: The Benchmark for Northern Sustainability | 75 Ontario’s Electricity System: The Ministry of Energy Proposes a Massive Overhaul | 81 Updates | 87 The Recreational Fishery: A Risky Streamlining of the Rules? | 87 Ontario Gives a Big Boost to Glass Recycling | 90 Missed Opportunity on Environmental Assessment Reforms? | 92 Reforming the Endangered Species Act | 96 Part 3 | Ministry Environmental Decisions | 98 Protected Areas Law: Ecological Integrity as the First Priority | 99 Planning Act Reforms: Providing Municipalities with New Tools for Sustainability | 107 MNR’s Aggregate Resources Program Manual | 113 annual report 2006–2007 environmental commissioner of ontario 2 The Clean Water Act | 118 The Whitefeather Forest and Adjacent Areas Community-based Land Use Strategy | 124 Interesting Instruments on the Registry | 128 Waste Pelletization – Approval for a New and Controversial Plant | 128 Part 4 | Applications for Review and Investigation | 132 Road Salt: Can Ice-Free Roads and Environmental Protection Be Reconciled? | 136 Our Cratered Landscape: Can Pits and Quarries be Rehabilitated? | 139 Review of the Regulatory Framework for Sewage Biosolids | 144 Can Ecological Integrity and Logging be Reconciled in Our Flagship Parks? | 148 Portlands Energy Centre | 150 Part 5 | The Environmental Registry | 154 Quality of Information | 156 Unposted Decisions | 159 Information Notices | 163 Exception Notices | 165 Late Decision Notices and Undecided Proposals | 166 Part 6 | Ministry Progress | 168 Keeping the EBR in Sync with New Laws and Government Initiatives | 169 Progress Report on Statements of Environmental Values (SEVs) | 176 Ministry Responses to 2005–06 Recommendations | 176 Ministry Cooperation | 186 Part 7 | Appeals, Lawsuits and Whistleblowers | 188 Part 8 | Developing Issues | 196 Flooding Hazards: Prevent and Mitigate, or Compensate and Rehabilitate? | 197 Part 9 | Financial Statement | 202 2006/07 ECO Recommendations | 206 Ministry Comments | 208 Index | 221 annual report 2006–2007 environmental commissioner of ontario 3 A Message from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario reconciling our priorities (is no piece of cake) The expression is to “have one’s cake and eat it too.” It means to desire two incompatible or mutually exclusive things. The curious logic of this proverb is a corruption of the more sensible sixteenth century expression “wolde you bothe eate your cake, and have your cake?” The answer to this conundrum in the context of planning Ontario’s landscape is ‘we wolde.’ Cake is a very nice thing. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like cake. But once it’s eaten, all that’s left are a few crumbs on a plate, an uncomfortably full feeling and, perhaps, an illogical longing for even more cake. The ‘cake’ on the Southern Ontario landscape is the relatively flat land with deep soils underlain by sturdy bedrock that allows us to cheaply dispose of our solid wastes and build great cities and suburbs supported by elaborate infrastructures of roads and pipes and wires. It is the close at hand glacial deposits of sand and gravel, as well as the dolostone bedrock of the Niagara Escarpment, that provides the raw materials used to create many of our buildings and structures. The cake is clean, fresh water that can be drawn from the earth or the streams or those huge reservoirs left as a legacy of the Wisconsin Glaciation we call the Great Lakes. And, it is the use of such aquifers, streams and lakes to assimilate and cleanse the effluents of our society’s wasteful activities and excesses. But, the cake is also other things we desire and feel we deserve. It is the prime agricultural land – so limited in Ontario – that produces our food, supports a farm economy and provides a way of life for so many families. It is the mosaic of forests, wetlands and wild spaces intertwined with that farmland that sustains a rich native flora and fauna, as well as providing an essential staging zone for tens of millions of birds migrating between the tropics and Ontario’s boreal or the arctic beyond. annual report 2006–2007 environmental commissioner of ontario 4 The cake includes the water systems that, beyond their utilitarian value, we want to support healthy aquatic ecosystems. We want the fish in the Great Lakes to be fishable and edible. We want our children to play along streams populated by waterfowl, turtles, frogs and creatures of all types that enrich their experiences and their development. And we want those spring fed cold headwater streams where brook trout lurk under old logs waiting to be coaxed out by just the right fly. The cake is also the vistas – the beauty of the almost uninterrupted forested escarpment stretching from Niagara Falls to the island of Manitou. In Northern Ontario the “cake” may be different, but the incompatible desires are the same. We want the wealth extracted from the forests in the form of lumber, construction sheeting and paper. We want the jobs associated with mining minerals from the earth. And we want to extract the energy potential available as millions of cubic metres of water cascade off the Canadian Shield into the Hudson Bay Lowlands. But at the same time we want to preserve the integrity of the boreal forest, perhaps the last and greatest closed canopy forest left on the planet. We want to ensure that sufficient roadless forested areas remain to provide future generations with the unique spiritual experience of true wilderness that is so fundamental to our Canadian heritage. We want our First Nations in the remote north to have a better life and have full access to the opportunities of our economic system, while at the same time preserving
Recommended publications
  • The Historical Development of Agricultural Policy and Urban Planning in Southern Ontario
    Settlement, Food Lands, and Sustainable Habitation: The Historical Development of Agricultural Policy and Urban Planning in Southern Ontario By: Joel Fridman A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in Geography, Collaborative Program in Environmental Studies Department of Geography and Program in Planning University of Toronto © Copyright by Joel Fridman 2014 Settlement, Food Lands, and Sustainable Habitation: The Historical Development of Agricultural Policy and Urban Planning in Southern Ontario Joel Fridman Masters of Arts in Geography, Collaborative Program in Environmental Studies Department of Geography and Program in Planning University of Toronto 2014 Abstract In this thesis I recount the historical relationship between settlement and food lands in Southern Ontario. Informed by landscape and food regime theory, I use a landscape approach to interpret the history of this relationship to deepen our understanding of a pertinent, and historically specific problem of land access for sustainable farming. This thesis presents entrenched barriers to landscape renewal as institutional legacies of various layers of history. It argues that at the moment and for the last century Southern Ontario has had two different, parallel sets of determinants for land use operating on the same landscape in the form of agricultural policy and urban planning. To the extent that they are not purposefully coordinated, not just with each other but with the social and ecological foundations of our habitation, this is at the root of the problem of land access for sustainable farming. ii Acknowledgements This thesis is accomplished with the help and support of many. I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Harriet Friedmann, for kindly encouraging me in the right direction.
    [Show full text]
  • Trailside Esterbrooke Kingslake Harringay
    MILLIKEN COMMUNITY TRAIL CONTINUES TRAIL CONTINUES CENTRE INTO VAUGHAN INTO MARKHAM Roxanne Enchanted Hills Codlin Anthia Scoville P Codlin Minglehaze THACKERAY PARK Cabana English Song Meadoway Glencoyne Frank Rivers Captains Way Goldhawk Wilderness MILLIKEN PARK - CEDARBRAE Murray Ross Festival Tanjoe Ashcott Cascaden Cathy Jean Flax Gardenway Gossamer Grove Kelvin Covewood Flatwoods Holmbush Redlea Duxbury Nipigon Holmbush Provence Nipigon Forest New GOLF & COUNTRY Anthia Huntsmill New Forest Shockley Carnival Greenwin Village Ivyway Inniscross Raynes Enchanted Hills CONCESSION Goodmark Alabast Beulah Alness Inniscross Hullmar Townsend Goldenwood Saddletree Franca Rockland Janus Hollyberry Manilow Port Royal Green Bush Aspenwood Chapel Park Founders Magnetic Sandyhook Irondale Klondike Roxanne Harrington Edgar Woods Fisherville Abitibi Goldwood Mintwood Hollyberry Canongate CLUB Cabernet Turbine 400 Crispin MILLIKENMILLIKEN Breanna Eagleview Pennmarric BLACK CREEK Carpenter Grove River BLACK CREEK West North Albany Tarbert Select Lillian Signal Hill Hill Signal Highbridge Arran Markbrook Barmac Wheelwright Cherrystone Birchway Yellow Strawberry Hills Strawberry Select Steinway Rossdean Bestview Freshmeadow Belinda Eagledance BordeauxBrunello Primula Garyray G. ROSS Fontainbleau Cherrystone Ockwell Manor Chianti Cabernet Laureleaf Shenstone Torresdale Athabaska Limestone Regis Robinter Lambeth Wintermute WOODLANDS PIONEER Russfax Creekside Michigan . Husband EAST Reesor Plowshare Ian MacDonald Nevada Grenbeck ROWNTREE MILLS PARK Blacksmith
    [Show full text]
  • Hiking in Ontario Ulysses Travel Guides in of All Ontario’S Regions, with an Overview of Their Many Natural and Cultural Digital PDF Format Treasures
    Anytime, Anywhere in Hiking The most complete guide the World! with descriptions of some 400 trails in in Ontario 70 parks and conservation areas. In-depth coverage Hiking in Ontario in Hiking Ulysses Travel Guides in of all Ontario’s regions, with an overview of their many natural and cultural Digital PDF Format treasures. Practical information www.ulyssesguides.com from trail diffi culty ratings to trailheads and services, to enable you to carefully plan your hiking adventure. Handy trail lists including our favourite hikes, wheelchair accessible paths, trails with scenic views, historical journeys and animal lover walks. Clear maps and directions to keep you on the right track and help you get the most out of your walks. Take a hike... in Ontario! $ 24.95 CAD ISBN: 978-289464-827-8 This guide is also available in digital format (PDF). Travel better, enjoy more Extrait de la publication See the trail lists on p.287-288 A. Southern Ontario D. Eastern Ontario B. Greater Toronto and the Niagara Peninsula E. Northeastern Ontario Hiking in Ontario C. Central Ontario F. Northwestern Ontario Sudbury Sturgeon 0 150 300 km ntario Warren Falls North Bay Mattawa Rolphton NorthernSee Inset O 17 Whitefish 17 Deux l Lake Nipissing Callander Rivières rai Ottawa a T Deep River Trans Canad Espanola Killarney 69 Massey Waltham 6 Prov. Park 11 Petawawa QUÉBEC National Whitefish French River River 18 Falls Algonquin Campbell's Bay Gatineau North Channel Trail Port Loring Pembroke Plantagenet Little Current Provincial Park 17 Park Gore Bay Sundridge Shawville
    [Show full text]
  • National Capital Commission
    NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION Summary of the Corporate Plan 2016–2017 to 2020–2021 www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca 202–40 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Canada K1P 1C7 Email: [email protected] • Fax: 613-239-5063 Telephone: 613-239-5000 • Toll-free: 1-800-465-1867 TTY: 613-239-5090 • Toll-free TTY: 1-866-661-3530 Unless otherwise noted, all imagery is the property of the National Capital Commission. National Capital Commission Summary of the Corporate Plan 2016–2017 to 2020–2021 Catalogue number: W91-2E-PDF ISSN: 1926-0490 The National Capital Commission is dedicated to building a dynamic, sustainable, inspiring capital that is a source of pride for all Canadians and a legacy for generations to come. NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION ASSETS 10% The National Capital Commission owns over 10 percent of the lands in Canada’s Capital Region, totalling 473 km2, and 20 percent of the lands in the Capital’s core. This makes the National Capital Commission the region’s largest landowner. 361 km2 200 km2 The National Capital Commission is responsible The National Capital Commission is responsible for the management of Gatineau Park, which for the management of the Greenbelt, covers an area of 361 km2. Some 2.7 million which covers an area of 200 km2. The visits are made to Gatineau Park each year. Greenbelt provides 150 kilometres of trails for recreational activities. 106 km 15 The National Capital Commission owns The National Capital Commission manages 106 km of parkways in Ottawa and 15 urban parks and green spaces in the Gatineau Park, as well as over 200 km Capital Region, including Confederation Park, of recreational pathways that are part Vincent Massey Park, Major’s Hill Park and of the Capital Pathway network.
    [Show full text]
  • Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee A20 BEPAC Date: Fttuua/L, &^J Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee
    n~<* Planning, Design & Development February 4, 2011 Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee A20 BEPAC Date: fttUuA/L, &^j Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee Contact: Susan Jorgenson, Manager, Environmental Planning Subject: Information Report - Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee - Status Report OVERVIEW The Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee (BEPAC) was created by Council resolution in September 2007 and held its inaugural meeting in May 2008. As approved by Council, BEPAC reviews strategic environmental planning initiatives of importance to the City of Brampton, including those undertaken by the City, Region of Peel, Conservation Authorities, and Provincial and Federal Governments. BEPAC provides comments and recommendations which help to form the City's position and responses to these initiatives. In accordance with the BEPAC Terms of Reference, staff has prepared this summary of accomplishments as information for BEPAC. A Status Report containing the same information was taken to the Planning, Design & Development Committee on September 8, 2010. BEPAC meets quarterly and to date, has had nine meetings. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Since September 2008, BEPAC has provided feedback to reports, presentations and verbal project updates regarding strategic environmental initiatives of the City of Brampton involving municipal and regional policies, master plans, and other studies; Toronto and Region Conservation Authority involving a sustainable neighbourhood retrofits, conservation areas, and
    [Show full text]
  • Visiting the Mer Bleue
    The National Capital Commission (NCC) is responsible for managing the 20,000-hectare Greenbelt. The Greenbelt is a symbol of Canada’s WILLOW LABRADOR TEA VISITING rural landscape, as well as a place where nature is able to flourish and evolve with surrounding urban lands. The landscape is a mosaic of CATTAIL LEATHERLEAF SPHAGNUM THE MER BLEUE BOG farms, forests, wetlands and research establishments. Here residents and visitors can learn about the natural environment and participate in SPHAGNUM MOSS a range of recreational activities. The Greenbelt is a special place, one that the NCC is committed to present and protect for future generations. PEAT The Mer Bleue Bog Trail, with its one-kilometre-long boardwalk and Shallow, stagnant lake The bog begins to form Present-day Mer Bleue Bog THE EVOLUTION OF MER BLEUE series of interpretive signs, provides an opportunity to explore this HOW DID MER BLEUE strikes the mist that blankets the WHAT IS A BOG? where the land is wet for a period of THE BIRTH OF Once the land surface started to slowly filled in the depression. Water peat, filled in the lake. Sphagnum unique wetland.A picnic shelter, hiking and cross-country ski trails GET ITS NAME? wetland, it creates a blue effect A bog is a type of wetland. time each year. There are five major MER BLEUE rebound from the weight of the plants, such as cattails and water moss is rootless; it grows on top of add to public enjoyment. MER BLEUE Mer Bleue, which means “Blue Sea,” that seems as if you’re looking out “Wetland” is a generic types of wetlands: marshes, Twelve thousand (12,000) years ago, glaciers, the sea gradually withdrew.
    [Show full text]
  • Claireville Conservation Area Management Plan Update
    CLAIREVILLECLAIREVILLE CONSERVATION AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE Updated June 4, 2012 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF BOXES .......................................................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF MAPS .......................................................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................................................... v EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................................. ES-1 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Overview..... ................................................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.2 Toronto and Region Conservation .............................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2.1 Toward A Living City® Region .........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation Annual Report 2015/16
    FRIENDS OF THE GREENBELT FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 Photo Courtesy of Tanya Biglieri After 11 years, the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation continues to support the world’s largest permanently protected Greenbelt. We are committed to keep farmers successful, to strengthen local economies, and to protect and grow our natural features. We’ve funded and leveraged more than $47 million in innovative projects since 2006, through initiatives that encourage food and cycle tourism, promote the success of our agricultural landscape, and grow the Greenbelt to be even bigger. Along with our Friends, partners, and stakeholders, we have made the Greenbelt a great place to live, work, and grow. 90% 78 Ontarians that support Total species at risk protected the Greenbelt by the Greenbelt 269,966 10,000 km Number of bicycles lined Total kilometres of trails in up that would make up the the Greenbelt—the largest 475-kilometre Greenbelt Route network in Canada 47 Million 11 Billion Leveraged by the Foundation Amount contributed to into farming, environmental Ontario’s economy from protection, and tourism farmland in the Greater projects since 2005 Golden Horseshoe Photo Courtesy of Michael Manett FRIENDS OF THE GREENBELT FOUNDATION / ANNUAL REPORT 2015/2016 A WORD FROM THE CEO Entering 2015, we were cautiously optimistic for the future We wondered, what if we recognized and enhanced the of the Greenbelt. After all, it was the first time the Ontario ecosystem services of the Greenbelt? We had no idea that the Greenbelt came under government review since its creation Province’s proposed changes would require municipalities to in 2005.
    [Show full text]
  • Ottawa River Rivière Des Outaouais
    45° 28' -75° 44' 45° 31' -75° 58' 45° 33' 45° 23' -75° 43' S 45° 25' I X -75° 57' T H L I N -75° 43' E 45° 28' 45° 30' -75° 56' D U N R 45° 32' O 45° 22' B I N -75° 56' 45° 25' -75° 41' 45° 27' -75° 55' ELL 45° 29' RIDD -75° 41' 45° 32' 45° 22' -75° 55' -75° 40' 45° 24' 45° 26' -75° 40' 45° 29' -75° 53' 45° 31' -75° 39' 45° 23' -75° 53' Sector / Secteur Trail / Sentier Length (km) / Longueur (km) -75° 38' $5.65 / 5,65 $ 45° 26' WEST ZONE / ZONE OUEST Shoreline Trail / Sentier riverain 0.1 / 0,1 ' 45° 28' Shirleys Bay / Baie Shirley 10 4.2 / 4,2 -75° 52' -75° 38 12 2.7 / 2,7 45° 31' 20 3.2 / 3,2 -75° 52' KANATA 45° 33' 45° 23' 21 4.5 / 4,5 -75° 37' (23) Old Quarry Trail / Sentier de la Vieille-Carrière 3.1 / 3,1 45° 25' -75° 51' 23 5.7 / 5,7 NEPEAN 45° 28' -75° 37' 24 5.1 / 5,1 45° 30' ALL SEASONS TRAIL MAP (22) Sarsaparilla Trail / Sentier des Salsepareilles 0.9 / 0,9 -75° 50' CARTE DES SENTIERS D’HIVER ET D’ÉTÉ (28) Beaver Trail / Sentier des Castors 1.2 / 1,2 45° 32' Stony Swamp / Marécage Rocailleux 45° 22' (28) Chipmunk Trail / Sentier des Suisses 0.7 / 0,7 LEGEND / LÉGENDE 2020-2022 -75° 50' (25) Lime Kiln Trail / Sentier du Four-à-Chaux 2.1 / 2,1 45° 25' -75° 35' 25 3.9 / 3,9 45° 27' TRAIL TYPES / CATÉGORIES DE SENTIERS 35' (26) Jack Pine Trail / Sentier des Pins-Gris 3.1 / 3,1 -75° 49' 45° 29' 5° Natural trail / Sentier naturel -7 26 3.8 / 3,8 Multi-use pathway / Sentier polyvalent 45° 32' 27 5.3 / 5,3 4' 45° 22' -75° 49' Connecting link / Voie de liaison ° 3 29 3.4 / 3,4 Shoreline Trail -75 Sentier riverain 45° 24' Forest access
    [Show full text]
  • Ontario's Greenbelt in an International Context 5
    Ontario’s Greenbelt in an International Context Comparing Ontario’s Greenbelt to its Counterparts in Europe and North America 5 Written and researched by the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy Maureen Carter-Whitney Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation Occasional Paper Series February 2008 Copyright © 2008 Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation All Rights Reserved Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation 68 Scollard Street, Suite 201 Toronto, Ontario M5R 1G2 Canada Tel (416) 960-0001 Fax (416) 960-0030 [email protected] www.ourgreenbelt.ca Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy 130 Spadina Avenue, Suite 305 Toronto, Ontario M5V 2L4 Canada Tel (416) 923-3529 Fax (416) 923-5949 [email protected] www.cielap.org ISSN 1912-4171 Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation Occasional Paper Series (Print) ISSN 1912-418X Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation Occasional Paper Series (Online) The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation is committed to promoting awareness and education about Ontario’s Greenbelt. To this end we occasionally publish research and general interest papers that explore our three pro- gram areas: viable agriculture and viticulture; vibrant rural communities; and, a restored and protected natural environment. Ontario’s Greenbelt in an International Context: Comparing Ontario’s Greenbelt to its Counterparts in Europe and North America By Maureen Carter-Whitney ISBN 978-0-9781524-6-8 The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors only and do not necessarily represent the views of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, their Officers or Directors. We have done our best to confirm that all facts and figures are accurate.
    [Show full text]
  • Planning, Design and Development Item K1 for June 21, 2010
    K1-1 Minutes Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee Committee of the Council of The Corporation of the City of Brampton PLANNING, DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT DATE: June 21, 2010 May 11, 2010 Council Committee Room 4th Floor, City Hall Members Present: John Willetts, Citizen Member (Co-Chair) City Councillor John Hutton, Council Representative on the Credit Valley Conservation Authority (CVC) (Co-Chair) (left at 4:45 p.m.) Regional Councillor Grant Gibson, Chair of the Planning Design and Development Committee Regional Councillor John Sprovieri, Council Representative on the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority (TRCA) Ian Drever, Development Industry Jayne Pilot, Industry/Business Sector Bill Costigane, Academic Community Pam Hundal, Citizen Member (arrived at 4:15 p.m.) Staff Present: Adrian Smith, Director, Planning Policy and Growth Management, Planning, Design and Development Susan Jorgenson, Manager, Environmental Planning, Planning, Design and Development Michael Hoy, Environmental Policy Planner, Planning, Planning, Design and Development Chandra Urquhart, Legislative Coordinator, City Clerk’s Office K1-2 Minutes Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee The meeting was called to order at 3:43 p.m., and adjourned at 5:40 p.m. After due consideration of the matters placed before this Committee, the members beg leave to present its report as follows: Item Recommendation A. EPA001-2010 Approval of Agenda B. Conflicts of Interest C. EPA002-2010 Minutes – December 8, 2009 D 1. EPA003-2010 Inclusion of Public Lands – Credit River Valley, Humber River and Claireville Conservation Area in the Provincial Greenbelt. D 2. EPA004-2010 Claireville Conservation Area Management Plan Update. E 1. EPA005-2010 City’s Comments on the Claireville Conservation Area Management Plan.
    [Show full text]
  • La Tourbière Mer Bleue À L’Heure Actuelle D’Interprétation, Facilite L’Exploration De Cette Zone Humide Tout À Fait POURQUOI Qui Donne L’Impression Qu’On Zone Humide
    The National Capital Commission (NCC) is responsible for managing the 20,000-hectare Greenbelt. The Greenbelt is a symbol of Canada’s WILLOW LABRADOR TEA VISITING rural landscape, as well as a place where nature is able to flourish and evolve with surrounding urban lands. The landscape is a mosaic of CATTAIL LEATHERLEAF SPHAGNUM THE MER BLEUE BOG farms, forests, wetlands and research establishments. Here residents and visitors can learn about the natural environment and participate in SPHAGNUM MOSS a range of recreational activities. The Greenbelt is a special place, one that the NCC is committed to present and protect for future generations. PEAT The Mer Bleue Bog Trail, with its one-kilometre-long boardwalk and Shallow, stagnant lake The bog begins to form Present-day Mer Bleue Bog THE EVOLUTION OF MER BLEUE series of interpretive signs, provides an opportunity to explore this HOW DID MER BLEUE strikes the mist that blankets the WHAT IS A BOG? where the land is wet for a period of THE BIRTH OF Once the land surface started to slowly filled in the depression. Water peat, filled in the lake. Sphagnum unique wetland.A picnic shelter, hiking and cross-country ski trails GET ITS NAME? wetland, it creates a blue effect A bog is a type of wetland. time each year. There are five major MER BLEUE rebound from the weight of the plants, such as cattails and water moss is rootless; it grows on top of add to public enjoyment. MER BLEUE Mer Bleue, which means “Blue Sea,” that seems as if you’re looking out “Wetland” is a generic types of wetlands: marshes, Twelve thousand (12,000) years ago, glaciers, the sea gradually withdrew.
    [Show full text]