We are grateful to have participated in the Barrie to Sudbury Transmission Line Technical Meeting #1 on September 10th, 2026. As a refresher, the National Farmers Union-Ontario (NFU-O) is an accredited farm organization representing sustainable farmers in Ontario and has advocated for farmers across Ontario since 1969. Members work together to achieve agricultural policies that ensure dignity and income security for farmers, while protecting and enhancing rural environments for current and future generations.
We understand that agriculture is being factored into the site selection criteria by considering agricultural land impacted by right of way, and if any agricultural buildings that may require removal and appreciate these initial considerations. However, the NFU-O strongly advocates that Class 1-3 farmland is a finite resource that must be protected for our collective food sovereignty, and we would like to see that reflected in the site selection criteria.
The NFU-O would like to submit a formal request that Hydro One and Dillon Consulting add another agricultural variable to the weighted multi-criteria decision analysis to avoid corridor site selection within Prime (Class 1-3) farmland boundaries. Data on land classes can be derived from the “Land Base and Climate CLI Prime and Non-Prime Agricultural Lands (LIO)” layer on the Ontario provincial government’s Ontario Agricultural Systems map.
Additionally, we would like to see an additional variable added to encourage corridor site selection along existing right of way areas (ex. highways, railways, pipelines, or older power lines), and along existing property boundaries, section lines, or fence rows, to reduce new agricultural fragmentation.
Ontario holds over half of Canada’s prime farmland. It is imperative to protect this finite resource for the greater good, especially amidst global uncertainty. We ask that Hydro One act responsibly to ensure future generations have access to both the electricity demands they need, and the food security that is essential to our collective wellbeing.
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