Ontario's Greenbelt is Good for the Economy

-New Study Shows Greenbelt Jobs Are Economic Assets-

TORONTO, May 15, 2012 /CNW/ - A new study released today shows that jobs are flourishing across the Greenbelt. This resource rich region of Ontario is more than vibrant countryside, it is a considerable contributor to the job market and leads to significant tax revenues for all levels of government. The total economic impact of Greenbelt-associated activity exceeds $9.1 billion annually province-wide.

"The Greenbelt has been globally recognized as a successful land use planning model," said Burkhard Mausberg, CEO of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation. "With the results from this study we can now directly connect the economic value of the land to jobs in the Greenbelt."

According to the report, when total employment impacts (direct, indirect and induced) are taken into account, 161,000 full-time equivalent jobs are dependent on the Greenbelt. This volume of employment is larger than that of the entire fish, forestry, mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector in Ontario.

This is the first time a study on the economic impact of Ontario's Greenbelt through dollar contribution and employment has been completed. Econometric Research Limited, a leading Ontario-based private research company, used their proprietary database to capture the economic impact at the local, provincial and national levels. The Greenbelt associated activities taken into account are restricted to agriculture, fishing, trapping, forestry, and tourism and recreation.

"Our study reveals the Greenbelt as a major economic contributor to the province and country. Continued protection of the Greenbelt, not only preserves natural resources but also its substantial economic activity," said author Dr. Atif Kurbursi, Economist with Econometric Research Limited.

About the report, Evaluating the Economic Benefits of Greenbelt Assets:

Funded by the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and prepared by Econometric Research Limited, the report analyzes economic impact based on a hybrid integration of input-output analysis location theory and relevant segments of typical macroeconomic models. For copies of the report please visit www.greenbelt.ca/research or call [phone], ext. 309.

About Ontario's Greenbelt and the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation

Ontario's Greenbelt is over 1.8 million acres of green space, farmland, vibrant communities, forests, wetlands, and watersheds - all permanently protected by world-leading legislation. In return the Greenbelt gives back much to Ontario, $9.1 billion in economic benefits and $2.6 billion in ecosystem services annually.

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation is working to help farmers in the Greenbelt be more successful; to protect and enhance natural features; and to strengthen local economies. To learn more about the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, please visit www.greenbelt.ca.

For more information or an interview please contact: 

Julienne Spence
Acting Communications Director
[phone], ext. 311
[email protected]


Carla Balabanowicz
Communications Coordinator
[phone], ext. 306
[email protected]