Horwath vows to add the Carruthers Creek Headwaters to the Greenbelt

AJAX — Andrea Horwath, Leader of the Official Opposition New Democrats, announced Wednesday that if the NDP is elected in 2022, she will add the Carruthers Creek Headwaters to Ontario’s Greenbelt.

“The science is clear — if we allow the Carruthers Headwaters to be paved over, we will see floodwaters rise again and again in Ajax. We will see Durham families repeatedly hit by devastating flooding, losing irreplaceable property and worrying constantly that their insurance won’t cover the damages,” said Horwath.

“I will do everything I can to save people and business owners the heartache and cost of flooding, and to make sure the Durham region continues to be an amazing place to live for our children and grandchildren. An NDP government will immediately add the Carruthers Headwaters to Ontario’s Greenbelt.”

Building on the Carruthers Creek Headwaters will increase downstream flooding in Ajax an average of 77 per cent, as high as 113 per cent in one region, according to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority watershed study.

But despite the dangerous flooding threat, the previous Liberal government chose to exclude the Carruthers Creek Headwaters from the Greenbelt.

In 2018, Rod Phillips promised to add the Carruthers Creek Headwaters to the Greenbelt as he campaigned to be the MPP for Ajax.

Ford has paved over wetlands and farmlands, giving his buddies whatever they want no matter the cost to the environment or to communities. He also slashed flood prevention programs by 50 per cent and gutted conservation authorities.

Carruthers Creek flows through some of the most valuable land in Ontario and Ford’s buddies have their eye on it for development. The City of Ajax, environmental and community groups, former Greenbelt Council chair David Crombie and long-serving former Ajax mayor Steve Parish have all called for the headwaters to be added to the Greenbelt and protected from development. Horwath is making that commitment.

“We’re already paying a steep price for the climate crisis — deadly fires, extreme weather events and flooding that puts entire neighborhoods under water in this province. The price our children and grandchildren will pay is unthinkable,” said Horwath. “Families in the Durham region deserve a government that’s here for them and secures their future.”

Quotes

Aidan Dahlin Nolan, Member, Environmental Action Now Ajax-Pickering
“Carruthers Creek forms a vital ecosystem that supports our community with clean air and clean water, is home to the endangered redside dace, and provides flood protection to the citizens of Ajax in an era of increasing flood risk due to climate change. The entire creek, and especially the headwaters, should be added to the Greenbelt without delay.”

Regional Councillor Joanne Dies, Town of Ajax
“For close to 20 years, the Town has been calling for these lands to be protected from urbanization given the watersheds sensitivity and vulnerability. The proposed settlement area, which would swallow-up the headwaters, is approximately 1,857 hectares, 21,000 dwelling units or 60,000 people. The headwaters are comprised of prime agricultural lands, containing sensitive hydrological features and is completely surrounded by the Greenbelt. There is no question it needs to be protected.”

Jeff Forbes, Councillor, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation
“We are eager to learn more about the studies and technical information concerning the proposed addition of Carruthers Creek to the Greenbelt. Given our Treaty rights that apply to the area in question, and the concerns previously expressed on behalf of our community in the Duffins Creek issue, it should go without saying that we have an interest in making sure any environmentally sensitive sites are protected. The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation are committed to preserving land, and balancing the need for increased public services for the indigenous community and beyond.”

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