Protecting What We Value

• Read Section 2 of the Provincial Policy Statement, referring to the Province of Ontario's policies about the wise use and management of resources
• Check out the Province's Toolkit for Heritage Resources and the Land-Use Planning Process, based on the regulations of the Ontario Heritage Act and the objectives of the Provincial Policy Statement

• If you want to read about the technical information and a variety of topics around Protecting What We Value, the new Official Plan, the Province's Growth Plan and more, check out our full discussion guide on the topic (found at this link) or by visiting www.brant.ca/ProtectingWhatWeValueGuide.
  
  
• If you'd prefer a shorter summary on the topic, check out the glossy version of our guide on the topic (found at this link) or by visiting www.brant.ca/ProtectingWhatWeValueSummary. 

To provide long-term protection of water resources, it is important to identify the location of key hydrologic areas and key hydrologic features as part of a water resources system. Water resource planning helps create policies that protect our valuable water resources through comprehensive, integrated and long-term approach which will not only help reduce the negative impacts large-scale development can have on these resources, but will also help the County of Brant be proactive and resilient to the effects of climate change on the environment.

How can the County of Brant work to make its important rivers and water resources available for benefits like recreation and education opportunities, while protecting these resources from harmful impacts?

One of the key challenges with development in the County is determining how to protect our diverse natural areas. As we balance the population growth, intensification and overall demand for land in the County of Brant, protecting our natural features for the long-term is more important than ever. When the Growth Plan was updated in 2017, stronger protection was provided for natural features and natural heritage systems located outside of settlement areas and outside of The Greenbelt Plan.As stewards for the natural heritage systems of the County of Brant, it is important that our policies protect and enhance the valuable and diverse natural features of our environment.

How can the County of Brant protect its environmental biodiversity? How can we protect and improve the tree canopy in urban areas? What about protecting greenspace?

 Aggregate resources are an important part of the economy and activities of the Province of Ontario. The Provincial Policy Statement and Growth Plan both set out requirements for municipal policies that protect and conserve these resources for the long-term. The Grand River watershed is an important source of aggregate resources for Southern Ontario. Petroleum is another important resource found in areas of Southern Ontario, including some areas of the County of Brant. While aggregate pits and petroleum wells are often contentious land uses, the resources they provide can be essential to our everyday living. We must balance protection of these reserves by preventing development that would hinder access to the resource, but encourage sustainable extraction processes and create policies that ensure the longevity of the valuable resources in the County of Brant while protecting the environment

What ideas do you have to make aggregate operations more compatible with surrounding uses? How do we best encourage sustainable extraction to protect our resources and benefit from the products produced?

The County’s agricultural system of is one of the longest running and most important economic sectors of the County’s history and identity. The entirety of the agricultural lands within County of Brant are located within a prime agricultural area, as defined by the Provincial Policy Statement, with over 70% County being classified as prime agricultural land. This prime agricultural land classification refers to lands where soil has been classified to support crop growth. The agricultural economy of the County of Brant continues to thrive, employing over 1000 people and being the second largest industry in terms of the value of goods being exported outside of the County. It is important to have policies in place that encourage a strong local agricultural system, ensuring local food security, providing revenue sources, and allowing opportunities for agricultural diversification.

We recently undertook a policy project to help provide our farming community with more business options and diversified uses on their farms.
Check it out by clicking here or visiting the project page at www.brant.ca/OFDU for more information!

How can the County limit consumption of agricultural lands while supporting a financially viable agricultural sector?

Cultural heritage resources are important in preserving and enhancing the identity of a community. Each resource makes an important contribution to our understanding of the history, events, and people of the County of Brant. Cultural heritage resources play an important role in understanding the history of the County of Brant and our surroundings. These resources continue to provide environmental, economic, and social benefits to people near and far. The importance of protecting these valuable resources can be reflected through the Official Plan and implemented in ways that enhance the history and identity of the County of Brant.

Where are the County’s most significant cultural heritage buildings? Should we allow these building to be removed and replaced, or encourage adaptive reuse and revitalization of historic structures?