Fourteen Mile Creek Urban River Valley Expansion to be Considered for Greenbelt

Oakville ― The Ontario government is announcing its intention to add more of the Fourteen Mile Creek urban river valley to the Greenbelt.

Following public consultation and engagement with Indigenous communities this fall, Greenbelt protection of the Fourteen Mile Creek urban river valley could be extended south to where it connects with Lake Ontario.

The proposal for the addition came from the Town of Oakville, Conservation Halton and Conservation Ontario as part of a 60-day initial consultation to grow the Greenbelt last spring. The idea is also supported by the Region of Halton.

“We heard loud and clear that the community in the Town of Oakville wants to see Fourteen Mile Creek urban river valley added to the Greenbelt,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “I am proud to say that we are listening to communities across the Greenbelt as we undertake what could be the largest expansion since its inception in 2005.”

“Protecting Oakville’s Fourteen Mile Creek urban river valley by putting more of it into the Greenbelt is great news for our community. Our government is committed to enhancing and preserving our natural environment and I am pleased that we are bringing the entire creek into the Greenbelt,” said Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP for Oakville North—Burlington. “Our rivers and streams are important and protecting the lands around them plays a key role in our community’s environmental health and well-being.”

This fall, the government intends to consult with the public and engage with Indigenous communities on maps showing land that could be added to the Greenbelt, including the Fourteen Mile Creek extension, other urban river valleys and a draft Paris Galt Moraine boundary.

“Minister Clark continues to deliver for the residents of Oakville on important local issues,” said Rob Burton, Mayor of the Town of Oakville and Chair of Municipal Leaders for the Greenbelt. “From saving Glen Abbey to now announcing the intent to grow the Greenbelt, I am proud of our strong partnership with the province.”

Quick Facts

• Today’s announcement is in addition to the 500 acres the Ontario government announced it is proposing to add by including Darlington Provincial Park’s urban river valley to the Harmony and Farewell Creek, connecting it to Lake Ontario.
• Established under the Greenbelt Act, 2005, the Greenbelt is a broad band of protected land that currently includes over 800,000 hectares of land in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
• The Growing the Greenbelt consultations could result in the largest expansion of the Greenbelt since its creation in 2005. Extending the Fourteen Mile Creek urban river valley could add an additional 120 acres.
• There are currently 21 urban river valleys in the Greenbelt. These are the valleys of rivers that pass through cities or towns and act as urban gateways to the Greenbelt.
• The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing will be engaging in phase 2 consultations in order to solicit specific feedback from local organizations on the boundaries and designations.
• The Minister of Municipal Affairs has committed to adding two acres of protected and enhanced greenspace for every acre of land developed through the use of a Minister’s Zoning Order.

SOURCE: Province of Ontario