Economy
The building and strengthening of our local economy, from food to tourism to nurturing a working landscape that sustains jobs is a vital part of creating a strong and successful Greenbelt, and thus a healthy and prosperous Ontario. The Foundation has invested significantly in our local economy including:
- Investing millions of dollars in building a local food economy from developing new markets to enhancing distribution channels
- Creating Greenbeltfresh.ca, the leading electronic marketplace to find local, Greenbelt foods from over 600 producers
- Funding the Holland Marsh Growers’ transition from an export, commodity focus to one that serves the local market with value- added products
- Enhancing Farmers’ Markets, increasing sales for farmers in the Greenbelt and beyond
- Supporting development of action plans for a variety of agricultural areas and commodities
- Hosting the successful Tour de Greenbelt to promote Ontario’s Greenbelt as a tourism destination
- Supporting tourism initiatives including in the Niagara and Caledon areas
- Identifying barriers to opening markets for Greenbelt farmers and proposing solutions
- Reaching over 75 million through 220 highway and regional road signs and 12 million via the Harbourfront Greenbelt photography exhibit
It’s less expensive to preserve the natural environment and the benefits it provides us, than to replace it with man-made infrastructure.
The David Suzuki Foundation Report
The Value of Rouge Park? Priceless.
Economy | September 13, 2012
New study values Greenbelt’s Rouge Park at more than $115M per year David Suzuki Foundation recently released a study that estimates the economic benefits provided by farmland and green space within the proposed Rouge National Park and surrounding watersheds. Continue reading
New Study Shows: Ontario's Greenbelt is Good for the Economy
Economy | May 15, 2012
For Immediate Release May 15, 2012 Ontario’s Greenbelt is Good for the Economy -New Study Shows Greenbelt Jobs Are Economic Assets- Continue reading
Romancing in the Greenbelt
Economy | February 10, 2012
Ontario's Greenbelt stretches across 1.8 million acres and offers many options for romantic getaways. From enchanting winery experiences along the Niagara Escarpment, to the exploration of Rouge Park in Markham, one can find the romance in the nature all around the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. It is all about the birds and the bees after all, isn't it? As many people are... Continue reading
Issue Fact Sheet
Download a copy of our Economy Fact Sheet (PDF)
Ontario’s Greenbelt is the largest and most diverse greenbelt in the world. It protects 1.8 million acres of green space, prime agricultural lands and rural communities.
Grape Growers of Ontario
Canadian Vitis Certification Program

Grants Made:
$25,000 - January 17, 2008






