Ontario’s Greenbelt is the largest permanently protected greenbelt in the world, covering over two million acres of farmland, forests, wetlands, rivers, and lakes. It provides clean drinking water, prevents flooding, stores carbon, protects biodiversity, and safeguards fertile farmland that supports local food production.

In 2022, the Ford government attempted to remove 7,400 acres from the Greenbelt for development. This decision—later found by Ontario’s Auditor General to be deeply flawed—favoured a small group of developers and sparked massive public backlash. After protests, investigations, and public outcry, the government reversed its decision in 2023 and restored the Greenbelt.

But the Greenbelt remains vulnerable. Without strong protections and youth voices at the table, future governments could again try to trade away the land that protects us.

We, the undersigned, call on the Government of Ontario to:

• Guarantee permanent protection of all current Greenbelt lands by embedding them explicitly in legislation—amending the Greenbelt Act, 2005 and relevant Acts (e.g., the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, 2001) to require legislative, not regulatory, changes for any boundary amendments—just as Bill 136, the Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023 mandates.
• Strengthen enforcement against illegal development or unauthorized land-use changes, through clearer compliance standards, enhanced monitoring of land-use policies, and robust penalties for violations—especially where Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) have been used to override municipal zoning without transparency.
• Expand democratic and participatory mechanisms—ensuring that youth, Indigenous communities, and local stakeholders have meaningful roles in land-use planning, environmental assessments, and statutory Greenbelt review processes; this includes enhancing public transparency and accountability for decisions affecting protected lands.
• Commit to sustainable housing strategies that prioritize urban intensification, brownfield redevelopment, and infill housing—so that we can meet housing needs without sacrificing Greenbelt lands, aligning with goals outlined in the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and related legislation.

The Greenbelt is our shield—our water, our food, our climate, and our future. We demand that it be protected now and for generations to come.