By Drew Spoelstra, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Across Ontario, municipal councils make decisions every day that shape the future of our communities — decisions about land use, infrastructure, services and local economies. With municipal elections coming up this October, there is an important opportunity in front of us: encouraging more farmers and rural leaders to step forward and run for council.
The agriculture and agri-food sector is a cornerstone of Ontario’s economy and rural communities, contributing more than $51 billion to the provincial economy every year. It employs 10 per cent of Ontario’s workforce, drives local business activity, and contributes significantly to municipal tax bases.
Yet too often, the agricultural perspective is missing from the council table when key decisions are being made.
That gap matters.
Many of the issues that directly affect farm businesses are decided at the municipal level. Land use planning determines how farm businesses can grow and expand, or whether prime farmland is protected or lost to development.
Local by-laws can influence how farms operate day to day. Infrastructure decisions — from roads and bridges to drainage and utilities — impact how efficiently farmers can move goods and run their businesses.
Municipal services like childcare, long-term care, emergency response and community facilities all play a role in making rural communities places where Ontarians can live and work.
When those decisions are made without a clear understanding of agriculture, the result can be unintended consequences for farm businesses and the broader food system.
That’s why having strong agricultural voices at the council table is so important.
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