The Greenbelt.

"Greenbelt land should have clearly defined boundaries protected by federal statutes, preventing commercial and residential development and other incompatible activities." (Greenbelt Coalition of Canada's Capital Region - Position Paper for the NCC's Master Plan Review, September 2010. Legal protection, part 4.5.) 

The City will permit residential development on Greenbelt land. "The City of Ottawa recently released its discussion paper '5 Big Moves' as part of its Official Plan Review. Much of it is laudible, but Policy 3 is not. The policy states "Where urban expansion may be required in the future...consider the potential to expand into the Greenbelt." Whoa! Ottawa is already at one million people and is expected to grow more, but nowhere are they manufacturing any more greenspace. Once you permit urban development in the Greenbelt that greenspace is gone forever. In short, don't bother considering this option." Alex Cullen, former City Councillor, in a letter to the Ottawa Citizen on August 24, 2019. Policy 3 is from City of Ottawa Official Plan, Volume 2A, Urban Secondary Plans, November 20, 2020.)

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REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT POLICY IN RESPECT OF GREEN SPACES IN CITIES - October 7, 1974.

House of Commons Ottawa, October 7, 1974: Walter David Baker (Deputy House Leader of the Official Opposition; Progressive Conservative Party Deputy House Leader) Progressive Conservative. Mr. Walter Baker (Grenville-Carleton): "Mr. Speaker, in view of the statement yesterday by the Minister of State for Urban Affairs about trade-offs in respect of green space in Canadian cities, will he inform the House how this trade-off principle will affect specifically the experimental farm in the city of Ottawa and the greenbelt surrounding it, and indicate whether the government is now actively planning to intrude development in these areas?"

Hon. Barnett Jerome Danson (Minister of State for Urban Affairs) Liberal: "Mr. Speaker, I was just speaking about the general picture in Canada, trying to make people aware of the necessary considerations we have in attempting to deal with growth in our cities. Certainly, the city of Ottawa in particular has to be treated with special sensitivity. There will be further discussions on this subject before the special joint committee of the House and Senate announced in the Speech from the Throne, and in respect of other reports which are forthcoming. This will give us ample opportunity to deal with the member's concerns, which I share."

Mr. Baker (Grenville-Carleton): "Mr. Speaker, in view of the importance of the matter, as recognized by the Minister, would he be prepared to make a statement on motions at the earliest opportunity to clarify what he and the government mean in respect of the diminution of the very precious green spaces in the urban areas of this country?"

Mr. Danson: "First of all, Mr. Speaker, this government means business. There will be ample opportunity to discuss the area of the national capital before the committee. I do not think it necessary to make a statement on motions. This is an ongoing discussion with provincial and municipal officials as well as other people in Canada. Certainly, we have to treat this with special sensitivity, and I put as high a priority on parks and recreation as on any other element in the housing field."