No. ON005/02For release - October 16, 2002
OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette, along with his colleagues from the Eastern Greater Toronto Area* today announced the membership of the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee (GSSAC). This committee will be tasked with the development of a vision for the federally owned Green Space Lands. The Committee will also assist in the development of the Green Space Master Plan for the long-term protection of the federally owned portion of the Oak Ridges Moraine and areas around the Rouge Park as Green Space in perpetuity.
"I am pleased to announce the formation of the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee. This group will play a key role in a broad range of Green Space master planning activities including identifying, tasking, overseeing, reviewing and considering the work of a series of Sub-Committees," said Mr. Collenette. "Participation by other advocacy groups, as well as local, regional, and provincial governments in the Sub-Committees will be key to developing a Green Space Master Plan."
The Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee is a component of the Green Space Strategy announced by Mr. Collenette on May 24, 2002. This Strategy was produced following 12 months of consultations during which Transport Canada officials worked closely with communities, environmental groups and other federal and provincial agencies. This Strategy builds upon the commitment made by Minister Collenette on March 23, 2001, when he announced the federal government's action to ensure that this portion of the Oak Ridges Moraine and a corridor through the Pickering Lands connecting the Rouge Park with the Oak Ridges Moraine are protected in perpetuity as Green Space.
The Green Space Strategy has three components:
Protection through continued federal ownership;
Guiding Principles under which the Lands would be managed and protected in perpetuity; and
Creation of a Stewardship Advisory Committee composed of external land management entities and led by Transport Canada with a mandate over the following twelve months to develop a Master Plan embracing the Guiding Principles.
The GSSAC will be chaired by Transport Canada with the following membership: Brian Buckles, Green Door Alliance; Ron M. Christie, Chair, Rouge Park Alliance; Lilli Duoba, Manager Environmental Planning &Rouge Park, Town of Markham; Alex Georgieff, Commissioner of Planning, Durham Region; Alex Grant, CAO, Town of Uxbridge; Craig Mather, CAO, Toronto &Region Conservation Authority; Tom Melymuk, Division Head, Corporate Projects &Policy, City of Pickering; Bruce Moran, Tenant Representative, Pickering Lands Green Space; Don Prince, Chief Land Securement Officer, Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust; and John Waller, Director Long Range Strategic Planning, Region of York.
Establishing the Stewardship Advisory Committee turns another page in the federal government's management of the Pickering Lands Site by involving those who have a long-standing commitment to the preservation of the Rouge Park and the Oak Ridges Moraine. The efforts of the Committee over the coming months will ensure a transparent process throughout the development of a Master Plan.
"We look forward to working with all interested parties to ensure the overall protection of these lands for Green Space," added Mr. Collenette. "On behalf of the federal government and Transport Canada officials, I extend our appreciation for their valuable contributions and support."
Three backgrounders and a map of the area intended to be protected as Green Space are attached.
* The Members of Parliament from the Eastern Greater Toronto Area are: the Hon. John McCallum, Minister of National Defence and M.P. for Markham, Dan McTeague, M.P. for Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge, Derek Lee, M.P. for Scarborough-Rouge River, Bryon Wilfert, M.P. for Oak Ridges, Karen Kraft Sloan, M.P. for York North, Alex Shepherd, M.P. for Durham, Judi Longfield, M.P. for Whitby-Ajax and John McKay, M.P. for Scarborough East.
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Contacts:
Anthony PolciCommunications DirectorOffice of the MinisterOttawa(613) 991-0700
Gail CrossmanDirector, CommunicationsTransport CanadaToronto416) 952-0156
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BACKGROUNDER
OAK RIDGES MORAINE
The Oak Ridges Moraine is one of the most significant landforms in southern Ontario. The Moraine gets its name from its rolling hills and river valleys extending 160 kms from the Niagara escarpment to Rice Lake and was formed 12,000 years ago by advancing and retreating glaciers.
The Moraine contains the headwaters of 65 river systems (35 in the GTA alone) and has a wide diversity of streams, woodlands, wetlands, kettle lakes, kettle bogs and significant flora and fauna. It is one of the last remaining continuous green corridors in southern Ontario: it is still 30 per cent forested and is one of the last refuges for forest birds in all of southern Ontario.
The Minister of Transport has recognized the importance of preserving this valuable part of our natural heritage. The announcement today enforces our strong commitment to preserving the environment.
The Oak Ridges Moraine is receiving extensive public attention and is considered by many to be environmentally sensitive land. The department holds approximately 5,562 acres (2,251 hectares) of land on the Oak Ridges Moraine at the northern portion of the Site, and has been approached on several occasions to consider the possibility of transferring various parcels of land within the Oak Ridges Moraine for conservation initiatives.
Over a twelve month period starting in June 2001, the department consulted with a broad range of key stakeholders and the public in order to ascertain the best strategy for continuing protection of these environmentally sensitive lands for futures generations. The strategy announced on May 24, 2002, is three-fold and includes guiding principles for future management, continued federal ownership and the creation of a Stewardship Advisory Committee to develop a Master Plan over the next twelve months.
BACKGROUNDER
ROUGE PARK CORRIDOR
The Rouge River watershed is approximately 340 square kilometers in size, and includes lands within Toronto, Markham, Richmond Hill, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Pickering, and more specifically the Pickering Lands Site. The Rouge River has its headwaters in the Oak Ridges Moraine and flows southerly into Lake Ontario, entering the Lake at the boundary between Pickering and Toronto.
The Rouge Park is divided into two main sections - southerly section from Lake Ontario to Steeles Avenue, and a northerly section from Steeles Avenue to the Oak Ridges Moraine. In order to ensure that the Rouge Park north of steeles would be contiguous and complementary extension of the existing Rouge Park, the Rouge Park North Management Plan was established. This Plan seeks to provide a strategy for the creation of a linear park system connecting the Oak Ridges Moraine to Lake Ontario, along the Rouge River and its tributaries.
The Rouge North Management Plan envisions that publicly owned lands within the river corridors will be designated as Rouge Park, as well as the adjacent lands. For lands under private ownership, Rouge Park Stewardship Programs and Partnership Programs have been proposed, aimed at encouraging and assisting landowners in the implementation of projects and management programs on their properties that would protect and enhance the ecological integrity of the river system.
The Rouge Park Alliance is a voluntary partnership of interested groups and agencies that advocates the protection, enhancement and restoration of the Rouge Watershed. Transport Canada sits on some of its committees.
Transport Canada is dedicating 50 hectares (124 acres) of property known as the Gap, at Little Rouge and Reesor Road, part of Lots 16 and 17, Concession #9 in the Town of Markham, for Rouge Park purposes. This land, located at the south west corner of the Site, is currently leased (agriculture and residential) and being cultivated, with the leases set to expire in 2003.
The Department acknowledges and supports the vision of the Rouge Park North Management Plan and agrees to the dedication of the 'gap' parcel, in the southwesterly section of the Site.
Another area, in the range of 2000 acres on the western perimeter of the Pickering Lands, known as the Alternate Rouge Park Corridor, will also be preserved as green space. Over a twelve month period starting June 2001, the department consulted with a broad range of key stakeholder and the public that resulted in the development of a three-fold green space strategy that will be developed over the ensuing twelve-month period. The Green Space Strategy includes guiding principles, ownership and the formation of a Stewardship Advisory Committee to prepare a Master Plan.
BACKGROUNDER
BIOGRAPHY
Mr. Brian Buckles represents the Green Door Alliance Inc. Mr. Buckles moved to the North Pickering area in 1968 and has been a resident of Uxbridge since 1973. Since then, he has been actively involved in the protection of the Oak Ridges Moraine and land use issues relating to the Pickering property and surrounding region. He has authored many reports on these subjects. He is a member of the Seaton Advisory Committee, an appointee to the Citizens' Advisory Committee on the Oak Ridges Moraine, and a member of the urban fringe working group formed to support the Commission on Planning and Development Reform in Ontario, which was chaired by John Sewell. He was a member of the Seaton Land Transfer Review panel chaired by David Crombie. Mr. Buckles was the recipient of an Ontario Heritage Award in 2001.
Mr. Buckles has over 33 years experience with Manulife Inc. and served as Vice President for many years. He has held positions as President, Chairman of the Board, and Director on a number of company subsidiaries. His technical, financial, and analytical expertise, as well as his project management skills will be a valuable asset to the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee.
Mr. Ron Christie Chair of the Rouge Park Alliance, holds a master's degree in Zoology from the University of Western Ontario. He was employed with the Ministry of Natural Resources from 1961 up to his retirement in 1993. He has held a variety of positions throughout the province, including a fisheries biologist in Lindsay, a fish and wildlife supervisor in Aylmer, and Assistant Deputy Minister for Southern Ontario. He served as the former Chair for the Oak Ridges Moraine Technical Working Committee. He was instrumental in the completion of the Oak Ridges Moraine strategy. He also served as a member of the advisory committee to the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding the Oak Ridges Moraine Act and Plan.
Mr. Christie's knowledge and experience will be a valuable asset to the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee.
Ms. Lilli Duoba, BES, MA (Regional Planning and Resource Development) is the Manager of Environmental Planning and Rouge Park at the Development Service Commission, Town of Markham. She has worked with the Town of Markham since 1989 in the areas of development control planning, housing, heritage, and social planning, as well as the implementation of the town's Markham Centre plan and policy development. Recent projects in which Ms. Duoba has been involved include the preparation of the Rouge Park Official Plan Amendment, implementation of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, the Town of Markham Small Streams Study, and preparation of Environmental Impact Study guidelines. She has also represented the Town of Markham on various committees to the Rouge Park Alliance and the Duffins Creek Watershed Strategy Task Force.
The broad range of knowledge and experiences possessed by Ms. Duoba covers all of the key issues associated with the Green Space Master Plan. She will be a valuable asset to the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee.
Alex Georgieff M.C.I.P., R.P.P. is currently the Commissioner of Planning for Durham Region. Mr. Georgieff is a registered professional planner in Ontario, a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute, with over 27 years of planning experience. Under the leadership of Mr. Georgieff, Durham Region, in partnership with the Regions of York and Peel, recently received provincial and national awards in Planning Excellence for the strategic and innovative planning document entitled "The Oak Ridges Moraine: Proposals for the Protection and Management of a Unique Landscape". He has served as the Chair of the Regional Planning Commissioners of Ontario, representing a network of senior officials responsible for the planning of Ontario's major cities, urban regions, and municipalities. Mr. Georgieff was also an appointed member of the Smart Growth Secretariat, on the Central Ontario Smart Growth Strategy sub-panel charged with the task of developing an overall growth management strategy.
Mr. Georgieff will provide valuable planning experiences and a detailed knowledge of the Oak Ridges Moraine to the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee.
Mr. Alex Grant has been working for the Township of Uxbridge since 1987, first as a Consultant Planner and currently as Chief Administrative Officer. Prior to this, he worked for 15 years as a Planning Consultant in the private sector. Mr. Grant holds a master's degree in Business Administration from Queen's University and a BA in Economics from the University of Western Ontario. He is also a registered professional planner, a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, and a member of the Ontario Municipal Administrator's Association. Since 1974, he has been actively involved with planning on the Oak Ridges Moraine from Uxbridge's perspective of having the entire south half of Uxbridge in the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Mr. Grant's extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of planning, municipal administration and Oak Ridges Moraine will bring a valuable practical benefit to the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee.
Mr. Craig Mather representating the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), held a variety of positions with the TRCA since joining them in 1971, where he is currently the Chief Administrative Officer. Mr. Mather is a graduate in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Guelph. He is an active participant in Conservation Ontario, which represents 38 Conservation Authorities throughout the province. He is currently the Co-chair of the Policy and Issues Management Committee. Mr. Mather has been appointed by Canada to the International Joint Commission, Water Quality Board where he is bringing a local perspective to the many issues facing the Great Lakes as a whole.
Mr. Mather's environmental engineering knowledge and experience will be a valuable contribution to the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee.
Mr. Thomas Edward Melymuk M.C.I.P., R.P.P. is currently the Division Head of Corporate Projects and Policy for the City of Pickering. He joined the Town of Pickering in 1978. Since then, he has been extensively involved in the long-range planning and development of provincial, municipal, and private lands surrounding the Pickering federal lands. He has served as a municipal staff contact for the development of an intergovernmental agreement involving the federal lands in Pickering, Markham, and Uxbridge. His participation in the consultation process put him directly in contact with Transport Canada officials, the affected municipalities, and various community interest groups.
Mr. Melymuk's qualifications and practical experience in planning and project implementation and his familiarity with the issues and key stakeholders related to the Pickering lands will be a valuable contribution to the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee.
Mr. Bruce Moran is an active representative of the Green Space Tenant Representatives, has been a Pickering Lands resident in the Hamlet of Altona for the past 24 years. He has served on the board of directors for Big Brothers (Durham Chapter) for over 10 years and as President for the past five years. He worked for the Globe and Mail for two years and, for the past 21 years, he has worked for the Toronto Star.
Mr. Moran will bring a tenant perspective that is vital to the success of the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee.
Mr. Don Prince is the founding director of the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust and is currently the Chief Land Securement Officer. Mr. Prince has been with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) for over 36 years working on Land Securement and Land Management. He has been involved in over 1,000 successful land conservation transactions involving the conservation of over 155,000 acres of land and over $200 million dollars in funding. During the summer of 1990, he participated in a two-week fact finding study tour of England, Scotland, and Germany to study their techniques in land acquisition, recreational environmental facilities, land conservation, and trail programmes.
Mr. Prince is an active member in a major North American Service Club in the northwest area of the City of Toronto where he has carried out fundraising and charitable work for the past 38 years. He is a founding member of the Charles Sauriol Environmental Trust Fund and he is also the Chair of the Ninth Annual Environmental Dinner, scheduled for November 2002.
The detailed knowledge Mr. Prince has of the Oak Ridges Moraine and surrounding regions will be a valuable resource to the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee.
Patricia Short-Gallé is Transport Canada's Regional Manager for Pickering Lands, Green Space, and Planning. She will be the Chair for the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee.
Ms. Short-Gallé has worked with the federal government since 1977, first with the Public Service Commission in various capacities before moving to Transport Canada at Lester B. Pearson International Airport in 1988. Since 1997, she has been responsible for Transport Canada's regional interests in the Greater Toronto Area, including management of the Greater Toronto Airport Authorities Ground Lease with the federal government, Toronto City Centre Airport, Oshawa, Hamilton &Toronto Port issues, and the department's real property holdings in Pickering. Over the past eighteen months, Ms. Short-Gallé has lead the federal Green Space initiative to protect approximately 7,500 acres including the Oak Ridges Moraine portion of the federal holdings in Pickering as Green Space for future generations.
Ms. Short-Gallé's continued leadership in the Green Space Master Planning and Community Consultation, along with the corporate side of the Pickering Airport Planning and ongoing management and administration of the federal holdings in Pickering, will be a valuable asset to the Green Space Advisory Committee.
John Waller has been the Director of Long Range Strategic Planning for York Region for the past eight years. He has been a practicing planner for 25 years. Mr. Waller was responsible for preparing York Region's Official Plan including the Natural Environment/Greenlands component and the recent Report Card on the Region and Vision 2026. He has also been heavily involved in strategic planning and setting up the economic development function at York Region. Mr. Waller was also involved in the tri-regional Oak Ridges Moraine Strategy.
Mr. Waller has played an important role in the planning and preservation of the Oak Ridges Moraine. His knowledge and experience will make a valuable contribution to the Green Space Stewardship Advisory Committee.
