Description

Joint message from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry / Message commun du ministère de l’Agriculture, de l’Alimentation et des Affaires rurales de l’Ontario et du ministère des Richesses naturelles et des Forêts.

Province Now Consulting on a proposed Agricultural System in the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the proposed criteria, methods and mapping for the Natural Heritage System in the Growth Plan area / La province effectue maintenant une consultation sur un projet de système agricole dans la région élargie du Golden Horseshoe ainsi que sur les méthodes, la cartographie et les critères proposés pour le système du patrimoine naturel dans la zone du Plan de croissance.

The province recently released its four updated provincial land use plans for the Greater Golden Horseshoe as a result of the coordinated review: the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Greenbelt Plan, the Niagara Escarpment Plan and the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan.

The advisory panel for the coordinated review, chaired by David Crombie, recommended that Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) work with municipalities and stakeholders to develop an Agricultural System across the Greater Golden Horseshoe to support the viability of Ontario’s agri-food sector and protect farmland.

Development of a Natural Heritage System (NHS) was recommended by the coordinated review advisory panel for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, based on overwhelming public and stakeholder interest in a provincially-led NHS for the Growth Plan in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.  The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) was identified as the lead to draft criteria, methods and develop mapping for the NHS for the Greater Golden Horseshoe beyond the Greenbelt Plan.   

As a result of these recommendations, OMAFRA and MNRF have posted the proposed Agricultural System and the proposed criteria, methods and mapping for the Natural Heritage System for public comment on the Environmental Registry.

Click here for the Agricultural System posting (EBR# 013-0968) and the Natural Heritage System posting (EBR# 013-1014).

Comments on the draft Agricultural System and the proposed criteria, methods and mapping of the Natural Heritage System are welcome between July 6 and October 4, 2017.

The province will also be hosting Public Open Houses to provide opportunities to learn more and provide input on the proposed Agricultural and Natural Heritage Systems. 

Three open houses will be held at the following times and locations.  Pre-registration is not required. 

• Guelph, July 20, 2017, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., Holiday Inn, 601 Scottsdale Drive, Guelph, N1G 3E7
• Town of East Gwillimbury, August 17, 2017, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., Mount Albert Community Centre, 53 Main Street, Mount Albert, L0G 1M0
• Peterborough, September 12, 2017, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., Holiday Inn Peterborough-Waterfront, 150 George Street, Peterborough, K9J 3G5

For further information on the consultations, please visit http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/landuse/agsys-ggh.htm.