The National Capital Greenbelt is often described as Ottawa’s backyard — a place of forests, trails, wetlands, and recreation. While these features are undoubtedly valuable, they overshadow another equally important reality:

The Greenbelt is one of the largest publicly owned agricultural land bases in Canada.

At a time when farmland is disappearing, farmers are aging out of the industry, and food security is becoming a growing national concern, the Greenbelt represents a unique public asset capable of supporting local food production, ecological stewardship, and the next generation of farmers.

Yet despite its potential, agriculture has gradually become a secondary consideration within Greenbelt planning. The upcoming Greenbelt Master Plan presents an opportunity to correct that course.

Agriculture Must Be Restored as a Core Purpose

The Greenbelt was created in part to prevent urban sprawl and preserve productive agricultural land surrounding Canada’s capital. That original vision remains as relevant today as ever.

Canada continues to lose farmland to development while becoming increasingly dependent on imported food. Public agricultural land should therefore be treated as a strategic national resource.

The Greenbelt should not merely “sustain” agriculture. It should actively cultivate a thriving agricultural sector that prioritizes:

• Local food production
• Food sovereignty
• Ecological farming
• Economic viability for farmers
• Access for new and beginning farmers

Agriculture should stand alongside ecological stewardship as a co-equal purpose of the Greenbelt, not simply as one of many recreational attractions.

Food Sovereignty Begins with Land Access

One of the greatest challenges facing Canadian agriculture is the difficulty new farmers face when trying to access land.

Farmland prices continue to rise while the average age of Canadian farmers increases. For many aspiring farmers, ownership is no longer a realistic pathway into agriculture.

Public land offers one of the few practical solutions.

The NCC should establish a comprehensive new entrant farmer strategy that includes:

• Incubator farm programs
• Mentorship-linked leases
• Transparent land allocation processes
• Reduced-barrier lease opportunities
• Long-term security that encourages investment

The Greenbelt has the potential to become a national model for helping young farmers enter agriculture while preserving farmland for future generations.

Ecological Integrity and Agriculture Are Partners

Too often, environmental protection and farming are portrayed as competing priorities.

In reality, healthy ecosystems and healthy farms depend on one another.

The Greenbelt should prioritize farming systems that improve ecological outcomes, including:

• Organic production
• Regenerative agriculture
• Agroforestry
• Cover cropping
• Pollinator habitat enhancement
• Soil-building practices

Soil health deserves particular attention. Healthy soils improve water retention, increase biodiversity, store carbon, and enhance farm resilience during extreme weather events.

The Greenbelt should adopt measurable ecological targets, including indicators for soil health, biodiversity, water quality, pollinator habitat, and carbon sequestration.

If ecological integrity is to be more than a slogan, it must be measurable and accountable.

Farmers Need a Seat at the Table

For decades, farmers have been treated primarily as tenants rather than long-term partners in Greenbelt governance.

This approach overlooks the fact that farmers possess valuable knowledge about the land, its productivity, and its long-term stewardship.

The NCC should establish a permanent Agricultural Tenants Advisory Panel that provides meaningful input into:

• Leasing policies
• Land allocation decisions
• Infrastructure priorities
• Agricultural programming
• Master Plan implementation

Consultation alone is not enough. Farmers need an ongoing role in decision-making.

Fair Leasing Is Essential for Agricultural Vitality

Agricultural viability depends on more than access to land.

Farmers also require fair and transparent lease arrangements that provide stability and encourage investment.

The NCC should commit to:

• Transparent lease structures
• Clear definitions of landlord and tenant responsibilities
• Long-term lease security
• Accessible dispute resolution mechanisms
• Strategic investment in agricultural infrastructure

When lease terms are unclear and structural responsibilities remain unresolved, uncertainty discourages investment and weakens the agricultural sector.

Public land management should create conditions for success, not barriers to farming.

Connecting Urban Residents to Food Production

One of the Greenbelt’s greatest strengths is its proximity to hundreds of thousands of residents.

This creates an opportunity to reconnect people with food production through:

• Farm visits
• Farmers’ markets
• Community-supported agriculture (CSA)
• Educational programming
• Agri-tourism initiatives
• School partnerships

The Greenbelt can become a living classroom where residents learn not only about nature, but also about the farmers who produce their food.

Food literacy is an important public benefit and should be recognized as such.

A Public Asset with National Importance

The Greenbelt is more than a collection of trails and green spaces.

It is a strategic public asset capable of advancing food security, ecological resilience, climate adaptation, and agricultural renewal.

The choices made through the Greenbelt Master Plan will determine whether the Greenbelt remains a passive landscape or becomes a leading example of public land stewardship.

The NCC has an opportunity to create a future where ecological integrity, food production, Indigenous stewardship, and public access work together rather than compete.

To achieve that future, agriculture must be restored to the center of the Greenbelt’s mandate.

The Greenbelt is not merely an urban park.

It is one of Canada’s most significant public agricultural landscapes, and its future should reflect that reality.

For additional context, I have attached my detailed submission to the NCC Greenbelt Master Plan consultation, including recommendations related to agricultural vitality, food sovereignty, ecological stewardship, governance, and farmer representation.

How to Participate in the NCC Greenbelt Master Plan Consultation

The future of the Greenbelt is being shaped right now, and every resident has an opportunity to provide input.

The NCC is currently seeking public feedback on its proposed Greenbelt Master Plan, which will guide decisions related to agriculture, ecological stewardship, recreation, land use, and public access for years to come.

Before completing the survey, I encourage readers to also review the excellent article published by the National Farmers Union – Ontario:

The NCC Greenbelt is an Unpolished Food Sovereignty Gem
https://nfuontario.ca/news/the-ncc-greenbelt-is-an-unpolished-food-sovereignty-gem/

The article highlights the Greenbelt’s untapped potential to strengthen local food production, support new farmers, advance food sovereignty, and ensure that publicly owned farmland serves the public interest. It provides valuable context for understanding why the Greenbelt matters not only to Ottawa residents but also to the future of Canadian agriculture.

You can review the NCC consultation materials and submit your feedback here:

NCC Greenbelt Master Plan Consultation
https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/our-plans/national-capital-greenbelt-master-plan

You do not need to be a farmer or policy expert to participate. Even a short submission can make a difference.

If you’re looking for ideas, consider sharing your thoughts on:

• Protecting productive farmland within the Greenbelt
• Supporting local food production and food sovereignty
• Creating opportunities for new and beginning farmers
• Encouraging ecological and regenerative farming practices
• Improving transparency and accountability in Greenbelt governance
• Ensuring public lands continue to serve the public interest
• Strengthening connections between residents and local food systems

Organizations such as the National Farmers Union–Ontario have long advocated for a stronger agricultural vision for the Greenbelt. Whether you agree with all of their recommendations or simply believe farmland should remain a priority, this consultation is an important opportunity to make your voice heard.

The Greenbelt is a public asset that belongs to all Canadians. Decisions made today will influence how this land is used for generations to come. If you believe agriculture, food security, ecological stewardship, and community well-being should remain central to its future, now is the time to participate.