A recommendation to support Bill 21, Protect Our Food Act, 2025 at Prince Edward County Council has been redirected back to the Agricultural Advisory Committee.
In the recommendation, it was mentioned that arable land is a critical finite resource, Ontario loses as much as 319 acres of farmland a day, Prince Edward County loses as much as 3,000 acres of farmland every year, and Ontario’s farmland provides food, fibre, and fuel to all of Ontario and beyond.
While Council agreed that protecting farmland in the County and the province is vital, many of the Councillors did not believe that ‘Prince Edward County loses as much as 3,000 acres of farmland every year’ provided in the recommendation was accurate.
“I find this extremely hypocritical,” said Councillor Harrison.
“In the County here, number one, we zoned for our growth area the best land in the County which we can’t touch. So as a result, we’re putting this forward and we’re one of the biggest offenders. Secondly, if you can find me 3,000 acres of farm land we’re losing a year, I would put a pretty healthy bet you can’t, because we’re not. If we’ve lost 3,000 acres of good farm land in the last ten years, I’d be shocked. I find this motion is well intended and I’m certainly of the group of being a farmer and wanting to protect good farm land, but it’s so hypocrticial and the numbers aren’t right.”
Councillor Nieman also asked to see from the County’s data how much farm land the municipality is losing.
Councillor Branderhorst, who sits on the Agricultural Advisory Committee, responded to the remarks.
“This presentation happened as a larger discussion that this is land we have lost,” she said.
“What we’re looking at is letting no more good farm land go, especially in creating a united front in agriculutral based sectors that what we are seeing as there is that push for greater development in the good areas. The best farm land is what builds cities. Looking into this motion as a whole, we’re saying how far are we willing to go, how far are we willing to not stand up as a group of agricultural stewards and put a stop to this.”
Councillor Maynard spoke up saying she supports the resolution, but suggested sending it back to the Agricultural Advisory Committee with a recommendation.
“We haven’t really truthed that we’re losing as much as 3,000 acres of farm land every year. I think the resolution would still carry the same weight, but just dropping that whereas Prince Edward County loses.”
Councillor St-Jean also agreed with the hesitancy regarding the loss of 3,000 acres of farm land each year.
“I did a little bit of my own research. Stats Can and the Ontario Farming Association, these are their numbers. In 2016, there were 146,000 acres they classified as farm land. In 2024, there were 110,904 acres of farm land,” he said.
“So, the reduction between those years was 7,105, works out to 710 ish acres. When I saw the 3,000 acres, I went that’s near to impossible. I do believe at the very least that this needs to go back, verify those numbers, or just simply remove all reference to those numbers if they are not able to verify them.”
Councillor Branderhorst said the information regarding the loss of 3,000 acres per year came from the Farm Land Trust.
(HAILEY MACDONALD)
