Ontario adding lands to Greenbelt under Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority

The provincial government announced Wednesday that it plans to add 360 hectares of privately-owned lands that are currently slated for development to theLake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

This move will ensure thatenvironmentally sensitive wetlands in Georgina's North Gwillimbury Forest are under the protection of the Greenbelt, the province said in a news release.

"The wetlands in Georgina's North Gwillimbury Forest are an important part of YorkSimcoe," said region MPP Caroline Mulroney, in a statement. "We are a community that loves to be outdoors and conserving these lands will mean that residents and visitors can continue to experience what YorkSimcoe has to offer."

The province says the landsto the west and south of Woodbine Avenue and Metro Road North received development permissions decades ago, before the establishment of the Greenbelt, before provincially significant wetlands in Ontario were recognized.

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark will be issuing a Minister's Zoning Order MZO to make the move, according to a news release. MZOsallow the government to immediately authorize development, regardless of local rules for land-use planning decisions.

Controversy has followed Premier Doug Ford's government when it comes to both MZOs and the Greenbelt.

Clarkissued an MZO in October in an attemptto fast-track a distribution centre and production facility in the Lower Duffins Creek wetland in Pickering.

Critics also slammed the province last month when officialsappointedretired MPPNorm Sterling as the head of the Greenbelt Council. Sterling voted againstthe creation of the Greenbelt in 2005.