Pickering's proposals increase greenbelt area

In response to your editorial, I wish to address a few of your statements.

It's well documented that Pickering conducted a growth management study, which recommended the development of a portion of the lands in question. This scientific study was initiated in early 2002, well before the greenbelt plan was a glint in Premier Dalton McGuinty's eye.

In context, the legal agreement stipulated that the City of Pickering would retain the full planning rights of these lands; and "in perpetuity" meant that the easements would remain on title until we saw fit to change the designation.

Interestingly, your newspaper has run a wealth of articles and editorials advocating for more municipal powers to the City of Toronto. Certainly, the City of Pickering deserves similar rights of self-determination.

The City of Pickering strongly supports the spirit of the greenbelt legislation. However, we are at odds with its mapping and the apparent lack of science in setting its boundaries.

We have repeatedly asked the province for its supporting research, but this information has never been made available to us or to our knowledge any other stakeholder.

If the greenbelt is genuinely at risk, it is not through the actions of the City of Pickering. Rather, it is because the province arbitrarily sketched a line through municipalities without the adequate science or planning to back it up.

The city has offered the province modified greenbelt proposals that would actually increase the total size of the greenbelt area in Pickering. In fact, one of the options was a three-to-one exchange of lands, which would significantly enlarge our total greenbelt area. Why has the province repeatedly refused our requests for collaboration? What is its true motive?

Further, why is the Star advocating such an adversarial situation? There does not have to be a winner or loser. The Premier has proclaimed a new era of co-operation and partnership with municipalities. Let's fulfill that pledge by working toward a win-win situation for all.

Once again, we are asking the province to work with the City of Pickering and together we can scientifically map out the greenbelt boundary so that we may protect the greenbelt and allow the City of Pickering to reach its fullest potential.