Grow the Greenbelt: Add Carruthers Headwaters Protection

Sierra Club of Canada Foundation is working with Peter Rodrigues (former Pickering Regional Councillor, Ward 3) to protect the Carruthers Creek Headwaters which run through Pickering. The letter below was submitted to Richard Stromberg from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and reflects the work being done to rally support for the protection of the Carruthers Creek Headwaters.

GROW THE GREENBELT IN DURHAM — Protect Carruthers Creek Headwaters

Surrounded by the Greenbelt, the headwaters of Carruthers Creek in northeast Pickering and northwest Whitby face the threat of urban sprawl. Without the strong protections Ontario’s Greenbelt provides, our region’s fertile farmland, lush forests, and water systems risk being swallowed up by development. These lands are irreplaceable and provide us with a secure food supply, fresh air and clean drinking water. 

If urbanized, Ajax homes and infrastructure downstream along Carruthers Creek face potential damage due to increased flooding. The health of Carruthers Creek will also deteriorate with greater erosion, loss of vegetation and degradation of fish habitat—threatening Redside Dace, an endangered species. 

The Ontario government’s 2015 Review of the Greenbelt and Growth Plans provides us the opportunity to ensure our farmland continues to produce food and that our watersheds remain healthy. Protecting Carruthers Creek headwaters will also curb urban sprawl, ensuring our communities are walkable, livable, and transit-friendly.    

Act Now

As leaders and stewards of our communities in Pickering, Whitby and Ajax, we call on the province to expand the Greenbelt’s agricultural, natural and water protections to include the headwaters of Carruthers Creek. We ask local groups
and residents to sign this letter and let the province know you support growing the Greenbelt:

Over the past 10 years, the Greenbelt has been successful in protecting our natural heritage and clean water supplies and providing fresh, delicious local food to our communities. 

Close the ‘gap’ by expanding the Greenbelt to include the headwaters of Carruthers Creek.

Stop the loss of over 2,300 hectares of headwater lands that include farmland, natural areas, and a source of clean groundwater to feed the creek downstream.

Ensure Durham Region is creating walkable, livable, and transit-friendly communities and that development does not happen in isolated, greenfield areas such as Carruthers Creek headwaters.

We appreciate your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Signed by Elected Officials:
Steve Parish, Mayor, Town of Ajax
Jennifer O'Connell, Pickering Regional Councillor Ward 1, and Deputy Mayor
Ian Cumming, Pickering City Councillor, Ward 2
Bill McLean, Pickering Regional Councillor, Ward 2

Signed by Community Groups:
Whitevale and District Residents Association, Scott Finlayson, President
Stop The Stink, Rick Nicolussi, Director