SOURCE: Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation
(April 30, 2014) After nine years, support for Ontario’s Greenbelt remains strong. Ontarians want to see more land included in the land protection policy according to a recent poll conducted by Environics Research Group.
According to the survey, three-quarters of Ontarians (74%) feel it is very important to continue to grow Ontario’s Greenbelt. Polling results align with Mississauga, Oakville, and Toronto taking the necessary steps to grow the Greenbelt. These cities have begun work to include areas along Fourteen Mile Creek, Credit River and Etobicoke Creek river valleys, and the Don, Humber and Etobicoke Creeks as part of Ontario’s Greenbelt. This is in addition to the recent inclusion of Glenorchy Conservation Area to Greenbelt protected land.
“Growing the Greenbelt ranks up there with developing public transit and increasing access to local food,” says Burkhard Mausberg, CEO of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation. “This overwhelming response is a most encouraging sign.”
Support for the Greenbelt is at an all time high with 93% of Ontarians supporting the 1.8 million acres of protected land.
“Knowing that we are going into the review of Ontario’s Greenbelt Plan in 2015, we are delighted that the Greenbelt remains an important contribution to the quality of life in Ontario,” said Mausberg.
Other findings of note: nearly all respondents (99%) said protecting the natural water system is an important benefit of the Greenbelt and 97% said preserving agricultural lands and green spaces that support clean air are important benefits to them.
Visit greenbelt.ca to see details of the Environics polling.
SOURCE: Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation
The Greenbelt Foundation survey was conducted by Environics Research Group from September 12 to October 20, 2013 among a sample of 825 residents of the Greater Golden Horseshoe. A sample of this size has a margin of error of +/-3.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. A disproportionate sample was employed, with Toronto being under sampled and other regions over sampled.
Ontario’s Greenbelt is the solution for fresh air, clean water, healthy local food, and a thriving economy with good jobs. At nearly 2 million acres, it’s the world’s largest permanently protected greenbelt, keeping our farmlands, forests, and wetlands safe and sustainable. The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation works to help keep farmers successful, strengthen local economies, and protect and grow natural features.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Envirodad.com is a firm believer in the preservation of greenspace and fully supports both the concept of the Ontario Greenbelt and it’s ongoing existence.)
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