Home Builders and Environmentalists Welcome New Greenbelt Designation

VAUGHAN, ON, Jan. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - Today Environmental Defence and the Ontario Home Builders' Association (OHBA) welcomed Premier McGuinty's announcement of a new Greenbelt designation.

"The new Greenbelt designation gives municipalities the opportunity to connect publicly-owned and protected urban river valleys to the Greenbelt through a public official plan process," said Joe Vaccaro of the OHBA. "This is the appropriate way to grow the Greenbelt for future generations to enjoy."

Today Oakville's Glenorchy Conservation Area was formally added to Ontario's Greenbelt.  The province also unveiled its new urban river valley designation as part of the Greenbelt Plan, which will allow municipalities to include rivers and streams in urban areas under the Greenbelt's protection.

"We're delighted by this first Greenbelt expansion through public lands, and look forward to similar such expansions in the future," said Gillian McEachern of Environmental Defence. "As the GTA population continues to grow we'll be working to ensure the Greenbelt is protected and that new communities utilize growth plan principles to create complete, livable and sustainable neighbourhoods where Ontarians can live, work and play."

About ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (www.environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is Canada's most effective environmental action organization. We challenge, and inspire change in government, business and people to ensure a greener, healthier and prosperous life for all.

About ONTARIO HOME BUILDERS' ASSOCIATION (www.ohba.ca): The Ontario Home Builders' Association is the voice of the residential construction industry in Ontario representing 4,000 member companies organized into 30 local associations across the province. The industry contributes over $42 billion dollars to Ontario's economy, employing more than 325,000 people across the province.

SOURCE: Environmental Defence

For more information, images or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Stephanie Kohls, Environmental Defence, 647-280-9521 (cell), [email protected]
Kathryn Segal, Junior Communications Coordinator, Ontario Home Builders' Association, 416-443-1545 ext. 223;  416-949-2706 (mobile)