The Ontario government is looking at expanding the 810,000-hectare environmentally protected Greenbelt around the Toronto region in a bid to protect clean water supplies from encroaching urbanization and climate change. The province has been aware of the need for water protections for more than a decade, said Margaret Prophet, executive director of the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition. Planning policies already protect water and the environment, and development helps pay for the infrastructure needed in growth areas, he said. Springwater Township Mayor Bill French likes the provincial plan to study Greenbelt expansion in his area north of Barrie, south of Wasaga Beach. There are acres of natural heritage, farmland and forest — they’re automatic recharge areas for water.

Source: thestar December 08, 2017 10:52 UTC