One Thing Ontario Voters Agree on …
Please see the 2011 Greenbelt polling results attached below.
The Greenbelt Delivers Important Contributions for the Future
- New Poll Reveals Greenbelt Support Independent of Political Affiliation -
(Toronto, Ontario) – Now in its sixth year, support for Ontario’s Greenbelt remains strong according to a recent poll conducted by Environics Research Group*.
“Red, blue or orange, regardless of political preference, the Greenbelt enjoys great loyalty,” said Burkhard Mausberg, CEO of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation
Awareness has remained steady over the past few years with nine out of ten agreeing that the Greenbelt is one of the most important contributions to the future of Ontario. Providing natural water systems, preserving key agricultural land and ensuring a local food source, the Greenbelt is important to the economy and well-being of those living in and around the Greenbelt.
“As one of the most important natural resources in the province, it is promising to see the Greenbelt garnering such fantastic support,” said Mausberg. “Get out and enjoy one of Ontario’s treasures, whatever the season.”
The highest growth in the 2011 poll was seen around the topic of local food: a growing number of Ontarians who recognize food as a key benefit of the Greenbelt. In fact, a jump of 10 per cent was seen across all local food topics, such as agreement that locally grown foods support local farmers (96 per cent, up from 86 per cent), and that it is environmentally friendly (87 per cent, up from 72 per cent). The Greenbelt is home to some of the most unique growing conditions in the world, from tender fruit in Niagara to the Holland Marsh, this region will continue to prosper and provide a fresh source of local food for the province.
For poll highlights please visit www.greenbelt.ca.
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, providing $5.4 billion to Ontario’s economy through farming and food production, 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.
*A total of 750 interviews were conducted by telephone between May 31 – June 14, 2011. A sample of this size can be considered accurate to within +/- 3.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. A stratified sampling was employed with quotas set for each municipality in the Greenbelt.
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For more information or to schedule an interview please contact:
Julienne Spence
Acting Communications Director
(416) 960-0001, ext. 311
jspence-at-greenbelt.ca
Carla Balabanowicz
Communications Coordinator
(416) 960-0001. ext. 306
cbalabanowicz-at-greenbelt.ca
