Study Comments

Dear Minister Guilbeault,
I am writing on behalf of York Region Federation of Agriculture (YRFA) to provide comments on the Draft Terms of Reference for the IAAC Rouge National Urban Park Study. The YRFA represents the 600 registered farm businesses in York Region, including those farming in the Rouge National Urban Park. We advocate for agriculture on issues that are specific to our local Municipalities, the Region, and across the Province in areas such as Economic Development, Planning, Environmental Policies, Financial Sustainability and Agriculture Education.
After reading and considering the draft Terms of Reference, YRFA, on behalf of our members respectfully submit the following comments for review.
1. YRFA is concerned that the development process on the DRAP lands will be fast tracked to allow development projects to proceed prior to the completion of this study. Our recommendation would be to shorten the length of time to complete the study. If is not possible to shorten the study timelines, consideration should be given to breaking the study down into multiple stages that could each be released independently of each other as they are completed.
2. Additional agricultural related items to be considered for the Annex 1 List of Potential Valued Components:
- The indicators of a vibrant farming community; generational farming; diversity of farms; increased demand for farmland.
- The critical mass of farmers needed to support the agriculture infrastructure and value chain in the area.
- Urban-Rural conflicts; construction and urban neighbourhood noise impacts on livestock; trespassing; illegal dumping; garbage blowing onto farmland from adjacent development.
- The impact of increased traffic from adjacent development; the resulting road safety issues for farmers moving farm equipment on the road; increased road salt usage.
- Local farmers and farm organizations will be an important source of information.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide these comments.
Sincerely
Kim Empringham
Secretary/Treasurer/Director
York Region Federation of Agriculture