Wellington County's Green Legacy Programme is going to be rolled out across the province.
The Ontario Legislature voted unanimously Thursday to pass Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott’s Private Member’s Resolution. It called on the government to take Wellington County’s Green Legacy Programme province-wide by planting 150 million trees, beginning in 2017.
It will be a partnership with municipalities, school boards, community organizations, businesses, and the forestry industry, and would mark Ontario’s 150th anniversary within Canada.
Arnott stated that he intends to follow up with the Minister of Natural Resources to see that the government follows through and commits to making Ontario Green Legacy a reality.
With Wellington County CAO Scott Wilson, Green Legacy Committee Chair Mark Van Patter, and Green Legacy Nursery Manager Rob Johnson on hand to watch the debate, Arnott acknowledged the work of County officials.
"I want to once again express my admiration for the County of Wellington, for the outstanding leadership they have shown in launching their Green Legacy Programme and maintaining it on an ongoing basis, such that it has grown into the largest municipal tree planting programme in North America," Arnott told the House. "They have shown us the way."
The Ontario Green Legacy Programme has been endorsed by the David Suzuki Foundation, NeighbourWoods on the Grand, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, and the Professional Foresters Association.