Food and Farming - The Summit

On Wednesday March 30th I spent all day at the Food and Farming Summit meeting at the Delta Meadowvale Conference Centre. Pictured above is a view of the proceedings. The goal of the Summit was to develop an action plan to support profitable farming and food businesses in the Golden Horseshoe.

As I represent the people living in urban Georgetown it might seem peculiar that I would choose to spend my time talking about farming and food production in the Golden Horseshoe.

I chose to go because I represent people who need the food that these farmers produce and people who also want to keep their town small.

Georgetown is located  in the Greater Toronto Area and is separated from highway 401 by productive farmland that would appear to be earmarked for development by the provincial government. The question is not "will it be developed?" but " when will it be developed?"

I believe that my constituents want to see the conversion of this rich farmland  delayed as long as possible. I also believe that the only responsible strategy to achieve this goal is to find ways to make farming and food production profitable in the GTA.

Margaret Walton of Planscape Inc. has written a comprehensive report on the relative merits of farming and agri-business in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. It is clear from the statistics provided in this report that the agri-food business is a significant economic driver. The estimated agricultural and food processing impact in the region is $12 billion! Employment in this sector is more than double automotive.

Although we have some of the finest farmland in the world with the bonus of having a benign climate and adequate rainfall we do not have policies to protect this valuable asset or to protect the businesses and help them thrive. It is a $12 billion business but it is constantly facing threats from increasingly restrictive policies and urbanization.

In time I believe that the value of this great gift will become increasing apparent as water shortages in the south western USA makes fresh fruits and vegetables in shorter supply. Population growth in India and China coupled with the rise of the middle class in these two countries is going to put further stress on the food supply chain. China has shown a great ability to plan ahead for its own food and energy security. It is securing these resources in other parts of the world to supply its own people. What are we doing to provide the same security for Canadians? 

My interest is in keeping the farming businesses profitable and to leverage the productive farmland into value added food processing businesses. Bucolic fields of corn and strawberries may not look like they are of great economic value but the reality is much different. The potential for increased production, increased food security and increased economic activity through food processing should be recognized. Policies to leverage our natural assets should be developed for the benefit of all Ontarians.