A Crisis in farming

I wrote yesterday about the agricultural community and how it could be impacted by a new provincial highway in Halton Hills. The highway would start at about Tremaine, cross Regional Road 25 and work its way across the south of Halton Hills and cross into Peel at about Winston Churchill and 10 SR.
An 8 lane 400 series highway would be devastating to this area. Not just to the farming community but to the rural residents as well. Tremendous strain would be put on any and all the farmers who are still working the land to sell to developers. The developers would argue that with a road like that there they should be building houses, commercial areas and urban services. The Town would be under pressure to rezone and change the classification of the land. One thing that people can do is ask for there land use to change. If it does not meet the current rules an amendment to the present uses can be applied for and dealt with publicly.
The public process will involve public meetings where everyone is allowed to state their thoughts or concerns with what is planned. All questions have to be addressed. No matter which way we decide, those in favour or those opposed can appeal our decision to the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board). The OMB will look at it and decide on the merits of whether the plans meet “good planning”.

The whole of agriculture has been under stress in the GTA. Halton Hills has worked with the agricultural community to try and make sure their industry remains vibrant and sustainable. We have for the last 4 years hosted Farm meetings where we present what is going on in the Town, but more importantly listen to what is on there minds and how we can assist. We gather anything additional information we may need and report back to the agricultural community.
Farming has been under pressure here as the average age of farmers has increased to about 55. Add to that the next generation is frequently looking for work off the farm. Also with fewer farmers the infrastructure they require starts leaving, such as equipment and tractor dealers, Mobile vets, seed stores and corn dryers. Add in the speculators who look to buy up land and hope they can grow houses, the increased traffic on our rural roads and a disconnect with a populace that will buy any food item not even thinking as to its origin. It doesn’t help when a dozen years ago the Ministry of Agriculture closed the Georgetown office and moved to Guelph.
I was born on a farm, My Dad studied agriculture in college and we had a dairy herd, pigs and cash crops. My Grandfather had a fruit farm just outside of Brookville and grew a variety of fresh berries and vegetables he took to market.
I am proud to sit on 3 organisations that work on rural issues. As a member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Rural Forum I deal with issues on a national scale affecting all aspects of rural Canadian life. We have repeatedly asked for a Rural Secretariat at the federal Cabinet so there is always a champion at the Cabinet table.

I also sit as a alternate on the Greater Toronto Area Agriculture Action Committee (GTAAAC). This group was formed out of the Green belt decision and the Province started to recognise the difficulties that farming was having in a near urban setting. We have just finished our studies and are starting to prioritize our goals. We also remind people that local food is available here all year round and to look for local first. http://www.gtalocalfood.ca/
At Halton Region I am a member of the Halton Agricultural Advisory Committee, this group is composed of farmers from across the region and represent a variety of different groups such as the cattlemen’s association, Pork producers, Junior farmers, Halton Federation of Agriculture and many more. This group is an advisory group to Council and assists Halton Region with policy directions. We review every planning application in the rural area and provide feedback and comments. Halton Region on the request of HAAC worked with them to became the first Region to use “Local Food Plus” in our facilities.

I know we can’t wave a magic wand and provide all the assistance the farming community will ask for. But I do know that at Halton Hills Council we have always tried to work with the farming groups and understand there needs. We have tried to listen and we have advocated on their behalf. By working together we can hope to achieve a permanent sustainable and vibrant agricultural area in Halton.