Review of the Implementation of the Water Resource System in the Greenbelt

Client: The Greenbelt Foundation

Ontario’s Greenbelt was designed to protect farmland and natural areas across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, with special importance given to water features. These features, collectively known as water resource systems (WRS), include wetlands, rivers, lakes, streams, drainage areas, and aquifers.

We worked with the Greenbelt Foundation to examine how municipalities in the Greenbelt, along with conservation authorities and other partners, are incorporating and implementing provincial water resource systems policies. Attention was focused on common challenges faced across the Greenbelt and opportunities for improving policy implementation and the protection of WRS.

Our team interviewed staff across nine municipalities and seven conservation authorities to identify best practices for implementing WRS policies and challenges they are facing. Ultimately, by asking the right questions, and listening to the experience of land use policy practitioners our team supported the Greenbelt Foundation in continued efforts to improve policy implementation across the Greenbelt.

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