Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group (Paawg) Peel Rural Water Quality Program Approvals Sub-Committee
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-1- THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF PEEL PEEL AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY WORKING GROUP (PAAWG) PEEL RURAL WATER QUALITY PROGRAM APPROVALS SUB-COMMITTEE MINUTES PAAWG 2007-02 The Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group met on February 22, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Brampton Room, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton. Members Present: Regional Councillor Hazel McCallion; Regional Councillor Alan Thompson; Nick Ferri (Peel Federation of Agriculture); Karen Hutchinson (Representative of a Peel Agricultural/Rural Society); Randy McLeod (Peel Soil and Crop Improvement Association Alternate); Heather Laidlaw (Peel Federation of Agriculture); Brad Romanek (Citizen-at-large) Members Absent: Region of Peel Chair Emil Kolb (Ex-Officio); City of Brampton Councillor John Hutton; Tom Wilson (Peel Soil and Crop Improvement Association); Brian Ellsworth (Citizen-at-Large); Eugene Kotey (Citizen-at-large) Also Present: Heather Yates (Credit Valley Conservation. Stewardship Technician); Melanie Williams (Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Project Ecologist); Dave Beaton (Credit Valley Conservation); Marsha Paley, Town of Caledon, Senior Policy Planner; Anjali Gupta, Region of Peel, Public Health Nutritionist; Simone Banz, Region of Peel, Planning Manager; David Wright, Region of Peel, Principal Planner; Colleen Ditner, Region of Peel, Junior Planner 1. Opening remarks and introduction of new PAAWG members 1.1 As the first official meeting of the 2007-2010 term, introductions of all PAAWG members occurred. 1.2 Mayor McCallion submitted correspondence she submitted to the Premier of Ontario and to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs addressing the relationship between Quebec farmers and the Quebec government and how this impacts Ontario Agriculture. The letters received can be found in Appendix I. Letters a) From Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga to Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, Dated November 20, 2006 (2 pgs) b) From Dalton McGunity ,Premier of Ontario to Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga, Dated November 30, 2006 (1 pg) -2- PAAWG-2007-2 February 22, 2007 c) From Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga to Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Dated January 9, 2007 (1 pg) d) From Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga, Dated January 11, 2007 (2 pgs) e) From Emil Kolb, Chair Region of Peel to Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga, Dated February 7, 2007 (1 pg) Received A discussion occurred among PAAWG members addressing the issue of Provincial assistance and competitiveness at a local, national and international market. Mayor McCallion stated that fixing the gap between the Federal and Provincial Governments is necessary before addressing the international scale. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is presently going through a public consultation process. Information and comments from all levels of Agriculture and Agri-Policy will be taken into consideration throughout the review of present agriculture policy. 1.3 Follow-up from January 17, 2007 meeting Anjali Gupta, Region of Peel, Public Health Nutritionist, reported on behalf of Gayle Bursey that a meeting will occur between The Commissioners of Health, Planning, the CAO, Gayle Bursey and David Wright in March to discuss the issue of a Food Policy Council. 2. Review and Approval of PAAWG-2007-02 Agenda Moved by, Karen Hutchinson Seconded by, Alan Thompson; That the agenda for the Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group meeting held on February 22, 2007 be amended to include the election of the new Chair and Vice-Chair for the new term; That a discussion pertaining to the selling of local wine at farmers markets occurs under the section of Other Business; That the Caledon Agriculture Advisory Committee be added under the section of Other Business; And further, that the agenda for the Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group meeting held on February 22, 2007 be approved, as amended. Carried PAAWG 2007-006 3. Election of a new Chair and Vice Chair. -3- PAAWG-2007-2 February 22, 2007 David Wright expressed his and PAAWG members thanks and appreciation for Nick Ferri as the PAAWG Chair during the previous term. David brought the election to order and opened the floor for nominations. Heather Laidlaw nominated Nick Ferri as Chair for the 2007-2010 term, Seconded by Alan Thompson; That the position of Chair of the Peel Agriculture Advisory Working Group for the 2007-2010 term will be held by Nick Ferri. Nick Ferri accepted this position. Carried PAAWG 2007-007 David Wright opened the floor for nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of PAAWG for the 2007-2010 term. Nancy Hutchinson nominated Alan Thompson as Vice-Chair for the 2007-2010 term, Seconded by Heather Laidlaw; That the position of Vice-Chair of the Peel Agriculture Advisory Working Group for the 2007-20010 term be held by Alan Thompson. Alan Thompson accepted this position. Carried PAAWG 2007-008 4. Review and Approval of PAAWG 2007-01 Minutes Moved by Heather Laidlaw, Seconded by Alan Thompson; That the minutes of the Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group meeting held on January 17, 2007, be amended reflect that PRWQP application 04-TRCA-06, 05-TRCA-06 and 06-TRCA-06 water was tiled onto the field and not into a municipal drain; And further, that the minutes of the Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group meeting held on January 17, 2007 be approved, as amended. Carried PAAWG 2007-009 5. Presentation: Rebuilding the Middle – the Challenge Facing Local Food in Local Markets - Elbert Van Donkergoed Executive Director of Greater Toronto Area Agricultural Action Committee Received Elbert Van Donkergoed, Executive Director of the Greater Toronto Area Agricultural Action Committee (GTA AAC) provided a presentation on the key issues addressing agriculture within -4- PAAWG-2007-2 February 22, 2007 the GTA at this time. Elbert discussed issues of new and renewable Agriculture, local food, the GRA Agricultural Action Plan, Rebuilding the middle (connection between the producers and consumers), and showed examples of how to rebuild the middle. The presentation is available in the appendix II of the minutes. Questions: Mayor McCallion wondered what technology has been done to improve farming. Elbert explained that since WWII production per acre and per person has continued to rise. Technological advances has allowed farmers to increase their productivity and reduced the amount of physical labour required. Technology has also improved crop yields. Marsha Paley asked about the source of the data identifying that ‘farms are smaller near the GTA’. Elbert stated that the data was sourced from “Greater Toronto Area Agricultural Profile: An Update of the GTA Agricultural Economic Impact Study 1999” and the “GTA Agricultural Economic Impact Study 2003”. It is believed that production per acre is driven higher near urban areas because they contribute less to the bulk commodity production. Bulk Commodity production has a much smaller economic contribution. Marsha Paley questioned if smaller farms would be more appropriate in Caledon. Elbert stated that land-use change will not accomplish what is needed. Policy is needed to ensure that the land remains productive and does not convert to rural estates. Karen Hutchinson wondered about the role of technology and if it has addressed smaller higher value farms as well as commodity low income farms. Elbert stated that there are two forms of technology – Hard and soft technology. Soft technology greatly benefits smaller higher value farms. It assists the farmers in management and growth. Management ability contributes significantly to the success of smaller farms. In regards to hard technology, research and development has not focused its attention on smaller higher yield farms. Most of the innovation has addressed bulk commodity production. Randy Mcleod wondered if one policy would be more appropriate for lands within the Greenbelt so that all the regions are governed by the same policies. Elbert stated that his personal opinion was that for the Greenbelt to be a success two things need to occur. First, that a policy needs to be put into place that pays the people who live on the greenbelt for maintaining ecological goods and services; second, that the connection between agriculture and the natural environment needs to be recognized. Processes that enhance the natural environment need to occur in order for agriculture and the natural environment to complement and support each other. -5- PAAWG-2007-2 February 22, 2007 Elbert announced that a ‘Local Food Dinner’ would be occurring on Wednesday, March 28th, 2007 at the GTA AAC meeting. 6. How to encourage the growth of local food supply Nick Ferri reported on the delegation he made on behalf of PAAWG to Council on the Regional Official Plan Review. He addressed the following issues: • Farm size and land availability • Growing awareness of local food issues among the general population • The shortage of local foods available • Encouraging new farmers and addressing the issues that are preventing the growth of new farmers A discussion among PAAWG members occurred addressing issues which they view presently inhibit the growth of new local farms. It was questioned whether OPA 179 restricts the length of time a lease can occur and lot sizes. It was suggested that a lot could be rented out in smaller potions to encourage local small scale agricultural production. This could encourage knowledge transfer of farming methods and crop knowledge. Heather Laidlaw wondered how sharing of rental agricultural lands would be affected under the new farm land tax. David Wright stated that there is a need for intensification, densification and understanding of the different types of farms. In addition, there is a need for agricultural lands to be flexible to allow for changing circumstances. Karen Hutchinson suggested that these ideas may be appropriate for lands located within the white belt; however, policies need to be put into place to ensure that the lands remain as active agricultural lands.