MPP Arnott says local leadership in Wellington County shows the way on the environment

In a Statement in the Ontario Legislature on October 5th, 2006, MPP Ted Arnott gave credit to residents of the County of Wellington for developing and continuing the “Green Legacy Tree Planting Programme.” He also made reference to the recently-released report of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, entitled “Neglecting our Obligations.” The following is the text of the Statement he made:

Mr. Ted Arnott (Waterloo-Wellington): Mr. Speaker: The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario has issued the McGuinty Government a devastating and damning critique in his Annual Report to the Legislative Assembly. Entitled: “Neglecting our Obligations,” this urgent, clarion call for action, includes 224 pages of constructive suggestions and stern admonishments directed primarily at the Provincial Government.

It is abundantly clear to the people of Waterloo-Wellington that the protection of our natural environment for the benefit of future generations must be one of the Government’s highest priorities. And even as this Government fails to show leadership, local communities are showing us the way.

A perfect example of local people taking action to protect our environment can be found in Wellington County, with its impressive “Green Legacy Tree Planting Programme.”

Originally launched in 2004 as part of the County’s 150th Anniversary celebrations, the bold vision set out by Warden Brad Whitcombe and the County’s Chief Administrative Officer Scott Wilson, was that we’d plant 150,000 trees in Wellington County in one year. The County formed partnerships with the Grand River Conservation Authority, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Wellington County Stewardship Council, and working together they have teamed up with local environmental groups, service clubs, schools, municipalities and private landowners including farmers.

Not only was their ambitious objective of 150,000 trees in 2004 achieved, now they have made it a permanent County programme with 151,000 trees planted in 2005, and 152,000 trees planted in 2006.

I want to again express my sincere appreciation to the hundreds in our County who’ve made “Green Legacy” such a success, showing leadership on the environment that the rest of humankind should follow.