August 13, 2007

TORONTO – The McGuinty government’s Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the Greenbelt Plan have earned two new planning awards from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.

The institute’s new Leonard Gertler Award of Distinction recognizes the significant impact that the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the Greenbelt Plan will have on Ontario.

The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe outlines the government’s long-term vision for Canada’s most populous and fastest-growing region. It aims to create complete, livable communities, with a greater mix of housing, parks, businesses and services and greater transportation choice. The Greenbelt Plan permanently protects 1.8 million acres of agricultural and environmentally sensitive land around the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

“It is a great honour for us to be recognized with an award of this kind,” said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal, whose ministry is responsible for the Growth Plan. “Long-term growth plans, like the one we developed for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and the one we are starting to develop for Northern Ontario, are crucial to Ontario’s future and will ensure Ontarians have the communities and quality of life they want and deserve.”

“We are very pleased that Ontario’s planning community has recognized the significance of the Greenbelt Plan and its role in protecting some of our most precious environmental resources,” said John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “It is very satisfying that both the Greenbelt and Growth Plans are being given these awards as they are integral pieces of the McGuinty government’s comprehensive approach to building better communities and protecting our environment.”

“We can think of no other recipients as deserving of this award,” said Gary Davidson, President of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. “Generations of Ontarians will benefit from these plans, and we applaud the government’s vision and leadership in their creation.”

Established in 1986, the Ontario Professional Planners Institute is the recognized voice of the province’s planning profession and provides vision and leadership on key planning issues. The institute’s more than 2,700 members are employed by government, private industry, agencies, and academic institutions. They work in a wide variety of fields, including urban and rural community development, urban design, environment, transportation, health and social services, housing, and economic development.

“As the mayor of Canada's sixth largest city, I understand the critical need for growth management in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. I applaud the province of Ontario for taking the time and investing the energy to get things right,” said Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion.

Both plans are multiple award winners, having previously been recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners. Additionally, the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe was recognized by the American Planning Association with the prestigious Daniel Burnham Award, a first for a jurisdiction from outside of the United States. Earlier this year, the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario presented the Government of Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment Commission with a special award for the Greenbelt.

The Ontario Professional Planners Institute will present the Excellence in Planning Awards at its annual conference on October 4, 2007.

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Contacts:
Patti Munce
Minister Gerretsen’s Office
416 585-6333

Amy Tang
Minister Caplan’s Office
416 325-4048

Loretta Ryan
Ontario Professional Planners Institute
416 668-8469

Audrey Bennett
Provincial Planning Policy Branch
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
416 585-6014

Anne Dunderdale
Communications Branch
416 325-1810

www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page2108.aspx
www.pir.gov.on.ca/french/index.html
www.ontarioplanners.on.ca