Cattle farmers in northwestern Ontario are applauding the province’s proposal to protect agricultural land from being acquired by foreign investors.
They expressed their approval of Bill 109 to a legislative committee gathering comments on the proposed legislation.
Kim Jo Bliss of the Rainy River Cattleman’s Association says Ontario is losing productive agricultural land every year.
She notes cattle farmers in northwestern Ontario have faced challenges in maintaining land for grazing.
“Our grain numbers have increased here, so that’s taking away some grazing land,” says Bliss.
“Also, there are some potential solar projects that are looking at taking away some grazing land, which is causing some grief in the northwest.”
Bliss says once farmland is lost, it does not return.
“Protecting farmland ownership and ensuring it remains in agricultural production are fundamentals to Ontario’s long-term food security and economic resilience,” says Bliss.
Bliss says they would like to see a grant through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund for land clearing reinstated to allow for more farmland to be developed.
