A recent report reveals a significant increase in the number of vulnerable species seeking refuge in the Greenbelt over the last 20 years. The study by Ontario Nature analyzed government data from 2004, a year before the establishment of the protected area, comparing the status of various at-risk birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and plants from then to now. The findings show a rise from 72 to 121 species currently at risk within the Greenbelt.
According to Tony Morris, the conservation policy and campaigns director at Ontario Nature, this surge underscores the growing significance of the Greenbelt in providing essential habitats, particularly in southern Ontario. The Greenbelt, spanning over 800,000 hectares around the Greater Golden Horseshoe, was designated in 2005 to safeguard the environment and regulate development activities.
The report highlights that the 121 endangered species inhabiting the Greenbelt constitute 42% of Ontario’s total at-risk species. Among these species are the redside dace fish and the Jefferson salamander, both facing challenges due to habitat loss and pollution-related issues. Morris emphasized the negative impact of habitat fragmentation caused by roads and urban infrastructure, stressing the importance of large, intact areas for species to thrive.
The report also outlines eight recommendations aimed at fortifying the protective measures within the Greenbelt. Ontario Nature advocates for the expansion of Greenbelt boundaries, improved safeguards for endangered species, and strategies to rejuvenate degraded habitats. The charity urges the incorporation of these recommendations into the long-overdue mandatory government review of Greenbelt legislation.
The delay in the mandatory review, which is mandated every ten years, was triggered by a sudden election called by Premier Doug Ford in January 2025. The review necessitates input from the government’s Greenbelt council, a panel of 10 appointed representatives responsible for advising the minister on land use planning within the zone. However, the council’s term expired last summer, and no new members have been appointed by the Ford administration to initiate the review process.
Despite assurances from Municipal Affairs Minister Rob Flack in December, stating the government’s intent to proceed with the review, no concrete steps have been taken. The Greenbelt has been marred by controversy since 2022 when the government proposed removing 15 parcels of land from the protected area for development, a move that was later reversed following public outcry.
Environmentalists and opposition figures have been urging the government to expedite the review and confirm the preservation of all Greenbelt lands. The scandal surrounding the Greenbelt has been cited as a reason for the government’s reluctance to address the issue promptly. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner and NDP environment critic Peter Tabuns have criticized the Progressive Conservatives for their inaction, emphasizing the importance of preserving the Greenbelt’s ecological integrity.