March 09, 2020 Page 1 of 5 Thursday, February 20th, 2020

RE: Bill 156 Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act

Dear Mayor and Council,

The Middlesex Federation of Agriculture (MFA) represents the voice of agriculture in the local community, and advocates on behalf of our farm family members. Along with our Commodity partners in Middlesex County and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the MFA is committed to a sustainable and profitable future for farm families.

Ontario farms have increasingly come under threat of unwanted trespassers and activists who are illegally entering property, barns and buildings, seizing private property and threatening the health and safety of the farm, employees, livestock and crops.

On December 2nd, 2019, the provincial government introduced Bill 156, Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2019. The bill is intended to protect Ontario farm animals, farms, farmers and their families, and the safety of the entire food supply by addressing the ongoing threat of unwanted trespassing and from unauthorized interactions with farm animals. The risks of these actions include exposing farm animals to stress and potential diseases, as well as the introducing contaminants into the food supply.

The Middlesex Federation of Agriculture (MFA) appreciates the support from the provincial government for taking a strong stance to protect our farms and food safety, and introducing more significant consequences for illegal trespassing activities.

The Middlesex Federation of Agriculture (MFA) is calling on all municipal councils in the province to reassure their citizens that the safety of Ontario farm animals, farmers and farm families, and the safety of the entire food system matters. We respectfully ask that your council show your support for Bill 156 by sending the following letter (see below) to Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Honourable Ernie Hardeman. If you have already indicted to Minister Hardeman your support for Bill 156, we thank you for your initiative!

Thank you for showing your support for stronger legislation to protect Ontario farms, animals, and food from intruders.

Sincerely; David Bolton, Board President Middlesex Federation of Agriculture

633-4 Lions Park Drive, Mt. Brydges, ON N0L 1W0

(519) 264-9812 [email protected]

If you ate today, thank a farmer. If you are a farmer, thank you! March 09, 2020 Page 2 of 5

Tena Michiels

Subject: FW: Bill 156

Sample letter to Minister Hardeman:

Hon. Ernie Hardeman Minister of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs 77 Grenville Street, 11th Floor Toronto, Ontario M5S 1B3

Email: [email protected]

Dear Minister Hardeman,

Ontario farms have come under increasing threat from trespassers and activists who illegally enter property, barns and buildings, causing significant disruptions to the entire agri‐food sector. These activists are trespassing under false pretenses to gain entry on to farm properties. They have seized private property and threatened the health and safety of Ontario farms, employees, livestock and crops. These individuals and organizations are causing health and safety concerns and undue stress to Ontario farmers, their families, and their businesses. Once peaceful protests have escalated to trespassing, invading, barn break‐ins and harassment. These incidents distress farmers, their families and employees, and threaten the health of livestock and crops when activists breach biosecurity protocols, ultimately putting the entire food system at risk.

We strongly support the new proposed legislation, Bill 156: Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act. This new legislation is an important way to keep our farm and food supply safe for all Ontarians. Bill 156 provides a balanced approach to protecting farms while recognizing a citizen’s right to protest. This new legislation will ensure farm businesses have a legal standing to protect their farm, family and employees, livestock, crops and ultimately the entire food system. Bill 156: Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act is good news for Ontario’s agri‐food industry.

Thank you for this important new legislation. Protection of our Ontario should be the highest priority.

Sincerely,

Please copy: [email protected]

1 March 09, 2020 Page 3 of 5

Corporation of the Municipality of Thames Centre 4305 Hamilton Road, Dorchester, Ontario NOL 1G3— Phone 519- 268- 7334— Fax 519- 268- 3928— www.thamescentre. on. ca— inquiries@thamescentre. on. ca

August 13, 2019

The Honourable Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General 720 Bay Street 11 th Floor Toronto, ON M7A 2S9

Dear Honourable Sir:

RE: RESOLUTION REGARDING ENFORCEMENT FOR SAFETY ON FAMILY FARMS

Please be advised that the Council of the Municipality of Thames Centre passed the following resolution at their meeting on August 12, 2019:

RESOLVED THAT Council support the motion provided by the Township of Warwick with regards to Enforcement Safety on Family Farms. Carried.

We look forward to receiving any updates on this matter.

Sincerely,

a

Tena Michiels Clerk Municipality of Thames Centre

Cc: The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General The Honourable Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs All Ontario Municipalities Association of Municipalities of Ontario ( AMO) Rural Ontario Municipal Association ( ROMA) March 09, 2020 Page 4 of 5 pRwrc- TOWNSHIP OF WARWICK A Community in Action" T 6332 Nauvoo Road, R. R. # 8, Watford, ON NOM 2SO

Township Office: ( 519) 849- 3926 / 1- 877- 849- 3926 Works Department: ( 519) 849- 3923 Watford Arena: ( 519) 876- 2808 Fax: ( 519) 849- 6136 Website: www. warwicktownship. ca E- mail: info@warwicktownship. ca

June 26, 2019

The Honourable Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General 720 Bay Street 11 t" Floor Toronto, ON M7A 2S9

Dear Honourable Sir:

Re: Resolution Regarding Enforcement for Safety on Family Farms

Please be advised that Warwick Township Council adopted the following resolution at their regular meeting on June 17, 2019:

WHEREAS agriculture is the second largest industry in Ontario, contributing 13. 7 billion annually to Ontario' s GDP and is essential for putting food on the tables of millions of people here and around the world;

AND WHEREAS in recent months there has been a steady increase in harassment of farmers and livestock transporters by activists opposed to animal agriculture and the consumption of animals;

AND WHEREAS the protests have become blatantly illegal in nature with extremist groups trespassing onto private property, unlawfully entering into buildings and removing animals without fear of prosecution and even promoting and publishing their crimes on social media;

AND WHEREAS maintaining proper biosecurity is essential to ensure the health and well-being of the animals cared for on these agricultural operations;

AND WHEREAS the recent attacks on farmers homes and businesses have resulted in no criminal charges laid, leaving farmers feeling unprotected by the Ontario legal system and afraid for the welfare of themselves, their families, their employees and the animals they care for;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council for the Corporation of the Township of Warwick requests that Hon. Doug Downey work with his fellow MPP' s and agricultural leaders to find a better way forward to ensure stronger enforcement of existing laws - or new legislation - to ensure the safety of Ontario' s farm families, employees and animals; March 09, 2020 Page 5 of 5

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this motion be circulated to Hon. Doug Downey, Ministry of the Attorney General, Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, Hon. Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General and Hon. Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and all Municipalities in the Province of Ontario, AMO, and ROMA.

Carried.

Yours truly,

L

Amanda Gubbels Administrator/ Clerk Township of Warwick

cc: The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General The Honourable Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs All Ontario Municipalities Association of Municipalities of Ontario ( AMO) Rural Ontario Municipal Association ( ROMA)