In 2011, we produced the report "Health, Prosperity and Sustainability: The Case for Green Infrastructure in Ontario". Co-authored by GIO and Ecojustice, the report draws on input from diverse stakeholders and existing research to present a strong case for improved policies and investments to support green infrastructure in the province. It also offers specific, practical recommendations that the Government of Ontario can undertake to realize the multitude of environmental, social and economic benefits provided by green infrastructure.
With the onslaught of severe weather events, like the storm last summer and recent ice storm this winter, municipalities and the province need to make climate change adaptation a priority. In response to a joint submission made by GTA mayors, the Honourable Linda Jeffery, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH), recently announced that the Province will commit $190 million in new funding to assist with the clean-up of the December 2013 ice storm.
This funding is extremely welcome, and a good first step. However, activities such as tree planting are not eligible projects under the new program. And the Province did not address the mayors' request for substantive action on policy to help municipalities become better prepared for future storms, with strategies such as green infrastructure.
Ontario communities must become more resilient to the effects of climate
change. Planting and protecting our
urban forests, developing green roofs, and constructing bioswales and
engineered wetlands add beauty and biodiversity to our cities while reducing
storm water surges and flooding. Other
communities are well on their way to adopting this approach. The City
of Philadelphia, for example, plans to spend $1.6 billion to convert
one-third of its impervious asphalt surface to permeable green spaces.
The Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition is asking Minister Jeffery to commit
to one essential first step; to establish a multi-stakeholder advisory
committee on green infrastructure. The
committee would be made up of representatives from the green infrastructure
industry, development industry, non-government organizations, municipalities,
conservation authorities, health advocates, the insurance industry and other
stakeholders. It would review the
current policy landscape for green infrastructure and would make explicit
recommendations to MMAH and partner Ministries on policy reform to facilitate the
uptake and protection of green infrastructure across the province.
I’m asking you to send a message to Minster
Jeffery, encouraging her to act on this request from the Green Infrastructure
Ontario Coalition to establish a multi-stakeholder advisory committee on green
infrastructure. Let her know that you
believe living green infrastructure is a cost-effective and community-friendly
strategy that will help address climate change, make our communities more
liveable and save money in the long run.
You can send a message to The Honourable
Minister Jeffery in a number of ways:
Email: minister.mah@ontario.ca
Write: Municipal Affairs and Housing
777 Bay Street, 17th Floor
Toronto, ON M5G 2E5
Tweet: @LindaJeffrey THX for $190 million for #GTA storm
recovery. Invest in preventative actions with #greeninfrastucture http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/panther-lounge/2014/02/lets-get-ahead-of-the-storm-with-green-infrastructure/
LEAF is a founding member of the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition.