September 29, 2005

Nursery School Kids Learn Greenbelt Grows Delicious Healthy Nutrious Foods

Photo: (L-R) Youngsters from Toronto's Temple Sinai Nursery School learn about healthy eating at King City's Pine Farms Orchard on Thursday from Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson (R) and Minister Responsible for the Greenbelt Foundation Jim Bradley, while parents look on.

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KING CITY — Dozens of nursery school kids learned today that Ontario’s new Greenbelt is protecting farmland that produces some of the most delicious, nutritious foods they can eat.

The children from Toronto’s Temple Sinai Nursery School received apple slices and some healthy eating tips from Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson and Tourism Jim Bradley, during a visit to Pine Farms Orchard in King City.

“Some of Ontario’s finest, tastiest foods are produced on the Greenbelt,” said Watson. “By showcasing farms in these areas, we are encouraging the people of Ontario, especially children and youth, to make healthy eating choices, be active and enjoy the outdoors.”

The government is responding to growing concern over the eating habits of children and youth in Ontario by encouraging healthy eating habits. According to Statistics Canada, the obesity rate among youth aged 12 to17 tripled from 3 per cent in 1978/79 to 9 per cent in 2004, and increased from 3 per cent to 8 per cent during the same period for 2 to 17-year-olds.

“The Greenbelt has been developed to forever protect the agricultural lands within the Golden Horseshoe,” said Bradley. “And I encourage people to visit the many attractions on the Greenbelt this fall”. The Greenbelt contains 1.8 million acres of protected land -- an area larger than Prince Edward Island. It permanently protects 100,000 acres of Niagara Peninsula fruit and grape crop area. It is instrumental in cleaning our air and filtering our water. The Greenbelt encompasses thousands of hectares of prime agricultural lands, vineyards and tender fruit lands, and is a legacy for all Ontarians that preserves and enhances our natural and cultural heritage.

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For further information:

David Oved
Minister’s Office, Tourism
416-314-1400

Mark Hazelden
Minister’s Office, Health Promotion
416-325-8458

Version française disponible

Ontario Greenbelt
Why We Have A Greenbelt

The population of central and southern Ontario is growing rapidly. By 2031, the population of the Greater Golden Horseshoe is expected to grow by more than four million people.

Our communities need room to grow, yet we need to protect valuable farmland and greenspaces to preserve our quality of life.

The Greenbelt permanently protects more than 1.8 million acres of greenspace from urban sprawl. This is an area larger than PEI.

The permanent Greenbelt will improve the lives of millions of Ontarians by curbing urban sprawl and create a permanent legacy for future generations.

The Greenbelt builds a legacy for our children that includes:

• Curbing sprawl by setting strict limits on where urban growth can expand
• Preserving thousands of acres of prime farmland so farmers can continue to grow the food we eat close to home
• Protecting our watersheds, rivers and forests to protect the water we drink and the air we breathe.

The Greenbelt promotes recreation, sports and tourism by establishing a trail system, open spaces and parklands.

Background

The Greenbelt Task Force consulted with the public and stakeholders, and provided recommendations for permanent Greenbelt protection to the Minister of Tourism in August 2004.

The Greenbelt Act, 2005 (Bill 135) was introduced on October 28, 2004 in conjunction with the release of the draft Greenbelt Plan.

The government consulted with the public and stakeholders on the draft plan in November and December 2004. Standing Committee hearings on the bill were held in January and early February 2005.

The Greenbelt Protection Amendment Act, 2004, (Bill 157) which extended the development moratorium provision in the Greenbelt Protection Act, 2004 to March 9, 2005, was introduced and passed in December 2004 to allow the government more time to consult.

The Greenbelt Act, 2005 received third reading and Royal Assent, and became law on February 24, 2005. The Greenbelt Act, 2005 provided the government the authority to establish a Greenbelt Plan. The final plan was released on February 28, 2005.

The Greenbelt Act requires that the government establish a Greenbelt Council to provide advice on the administration of the Greenbelt (e.g. performance measures, implementation of the Greenbelt Plan and coordination between stakeholder activities on the Greenbelt, 10-year review of the Greenbelt Plan and Greenbelt Plan amendments).

The government also formed the Greenbelt Foundation. The foundation is independent from government. The foundation would coordinate and fund activities such as promotion of agriculture and viniculture for the public good, research, public education, land stewardship and land acquisition across the Greenbelt.

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Contacts:
David Oved
Minister’s Office, Tourism
416-314-1400

Version française disponible