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MORE MORAINE The delicate balancing act of the Oak Ridges Moraine story is starting to take shape with the announcement of members of the consultation team. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced that Mr. Ron Vrancart will lead the provinces consultation team. Mr. Vrancart was Deputy Minister of Natural Resources when he retired from the Ontario Civil Service last year. He was the leading force in the Lands for Life consultation that created Ontario’s Living Legacy Program – an initiative that will greatly expand Ontario’s Parks system and protection of ecologically sensitive areas. I’ve known Mr. Vrancart for many years. In the early 1970’s our fledgling careers crossed paths in the creation of the Niagara Escarpment Commission and later the Algonquin Park Master Plan. He is an individual of considerable skill. He has an innate ability to seek consensus without undue compromise. His career has prepared him superbly for this new role in resolving guidelines for the Oak Ridges Moraine. He has a proven track record of taking what might appear to be completely juxtasoposed positions and finding common ground. Furthermore he was a great hockey player. His transition game was without equal. He could move from defense to offense without ever a misstep or stumble. He will need every ounce of that stick handling ability in his new role – I wish him well. Also added to the consultative team are three very prominent members of the development community. Mr. Fred De Gasperis of Metrus Development, Mr. Peter Gilgan of Mattamy Homes, and Mr. Mario Cortellucci of Brook Valley Developments. Each of these individuals brings sensitivity to development that has consistently recognized an “Environment First” priority in their planned communities. Now the eco-terrorists may consider these appointments as letting the fox in with the chickens. But clearly without controlled economic growth there is not adequate public funding for environmental protection. The policies and guidelines to be reviewed by this advisory committee must strike a balance between those opposing forces. It is not an enviable task but it is an important bellwether for development and environmental policy throughout Ontario. The selection of these individuals provides an important reassurance to all interested stakeholders that the challenges of the Moraine can be resolved. In the ensuing six months you will hear a great deal from the consultative team. In the short term nearly 11,000 lots already approved for development are subject to the six-month blanket freeze. Almost 2,500 of those lots already have roads built and pipes in the ground and agreements secured from prospective purchasers. These new home
neighbourhoods should be released from the freeze immediately.
Surely it was not the Provinces intent to create financial chaos
for companies, their employees and future homeowners on lands already
approved for development. In addition, the municipality’s financial
health is severely impacted by the impending loss of special fees,
taxes, and development charges. Keep Positive!
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