CHARLEBOIS: Hope for conservation arises from agricultural land policy

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It’s inspiring to see farmland management at the forefront of today’s headlines and becoming a major policy issue in Canada’s largest province – a truly fascinating development.

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In a world where we are grappling with the enormous challenge of feeding a growing population amid increasing urbanization and environmental pressures, preserving farmland near cities is more important than ever. Amid recent political controversy in Queen’s Park, the Greenbelt is emerging as a beacon of hope – a policy resolutely opposed to relentless urban sprawl. This not only preserves the nearby agriculture, but also strengthens our food security.

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A bit of history: In 2005, the Liberal government led by Dalton McGuinty took a momentous step by passing legislation establishing the world’s largest green belt. It included the Niagara Escarpment, the Oak Ridges Moraine, and nearly a million acres of prime farmland. Today it covers over two million hectares of fertile land. Over the years, its effectiveness in protecting farmland has been proven time and time again. A study by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs highlights the undeniable power of the Greenbelt in protecting prime agricultural land.

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The results of this study, published a few years ago, are both insightful and profound. From 2005 to 2019, only 32 hectares of prime agricultural land were lost within the protective embrace of the Green Belt. This seemingly small number takes on enormous significance when compared to the staggering loss of 11,172 hectares of prime agricultural land outside the Green Belt over the same period. The data clearly reinforces the Greenbelt’s core mission: protecting agricultural land and preserving natural features.

Regardless of all the Ford administration’s narratives of land protection and any alleged compromises regarding prime farmland, one unimpeachable truth remains: the green belt should remain untouchable, without exception and without compromise.

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Other urban centers in Canada have paid a heavy price for unchecked urban sprawl. Take the example of the island of Montreal, where some of Quebec’s most fertile farmland now lies under asphalt and concrete. Ontario cannot afford to repeat a mistake like this.

Preserving the green belt is not just about resisting urban renewal and development; it’s about finding space in the real estate sector. Today we can expand residential areas while maintaining our food production and agricultural capacity.

Well-planned public transport and communication networks can facilitate urban development while keeping the green belt intact. Maintaining the green belt also offers city residents the prospect of being close to agriculture.

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Canning isn’t just about food security; It’s all about education and our collective awareness of food production. Canada’s stark rural-urban divide has led to misguided policies that hurt farmers. This disparity is exacerbated by the fact that, according to Statistics Canada, 98.4 percent of Canadians do not live on farms. Giving city dwellers at least a glimpse of farmland is critical to fostering a connection between Canadians and agriculture. For many Ontario residents, driving through the Greenbelt may be their only opportunity to witness a working farm.

And let’s be honest. Preserving our biodiversity, especially near or within urban centers, can only benefit our collective mental health. Seeing green is a necessity, as proven by numerous studies over the years.

In essence, the Greenbelt policy was not just a laudable idea; it was an imperative. It ensures the protection of green spaces near Canada’s most urbanized region. It is crucial to the food security, education, awareness and well-being of our society. These vital aspects should never be sacrificed.

—Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is Senior Director of the Laboratory of Agricultural and Food Analysis and Professor of Food Distribution and Policy at Dalhousie University

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