You have most likely heard of the Greenbelt on the news or overheard others discussing it, whether you have never heard of it, or know a little, doesn’t matter which side you are on, we all can agree the Greenbelt is a very important protected area of Ontario that ensures the well-being of all Ontarians. It is the most biologically rich areas in all of Canada.
The Greenbelt was created in 2005 to prevent further loss of farmland and natural heritage, to restrict urban sprawl and to work with the growth plan to develop vibrant communities where people can live, play, and work.

As we stated earlier, The Greenbelt is one of the most biologically rich areas in all of Canada, it includes the Niagara Escarpment and Oak Ridges Moraine, which filter and replenish groundwater and feed into the many river systems that flow through Canada’s most developed regions. The Greenbelt safeguards the vital resources that clean our air and water, reduces our flood risks, provide a home for wildlife, and ensure our communities have green space to explore.

In 1997, Bill Davis’s Government approved the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development act, it was designed to provide for the maintenance of Niagara Escarpment and land in its vicinity substantially as a continuous natural environment and to ensure the only development occurs is compatible with that natural environment.
Mike Harris’ Government helped set the stage for the creation of the greenbelt by creating the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation plan in 2011, protecting 469,500 acres of land.
By 2005 the Greenbelt has expanded to nearly one million acres of farmland, Legislation was passed by Dalton McGuinty’s Government. By 2017, this protection was extended to 21 major urban river valleys and 7 coastal wetlands.
The Greenbelt is the heart of the Greater Golden Horseshow, its permanent protection is essential for climate resilient communities and a thriving local economy.
The Greenbelt safeguards the vital resources that clean our air and water, reduces our flood risks, provides a home for wildlife, and ensures our communities have greenspaces to explore, and affects the quality of our drinking water.
The Greenbelt Foundation is the only charitable organization solely dedicated to the health and prosperity of Ontario’s Greenbelt through research, grant making, partnerships, and education.
To summarize, the Greenbelt ensures the well-being of Ontarians while fighting climate change. No matter which side you are on, it is important that we protect our wildlife and natural resources.