Overview
Many policies impacting the agri-food sector are established by provincial and federal governments. But there are still plenty of decisions being made at municipal levels that can support agriculture. Land use policies, taxation and development charges, financial support and community engagement are all opportunities for municipalities to support agricultural economic development in their communities.
Municipal support is essential to agricultural economic development, and with their support, Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food businesses will continue to grow and prosper.
OFA Position
OFA continues to work with municipal councils and organizations to ensure agriculture has a strong voice on issues, legislation and regulations covered by municipal governments.
OFA submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding the Proposed Changes to the Ontario Fire Code
OFA submission to Minister Clark regarding the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s proposed policies for an integrated province-wide land use Provincial Planning Statement
OFA submission to the Standing Committee regarding proposed Planning Act changes as specified in schedule 6 of Bill 97
OFA submission regarding proposed Planning Act changes as specified in schedule 6 of Bill 97
OFA submission to the Niagara Escarpment Commission
OFA submission to Finance Minister Bethlenfalvy regarding Ontario’s 2023 pre-budget consultations
OFA submission regarding Ontario’s 2023 pre-budget consultations
OFA submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding Future Enhancements to the Qualification Program for Ontario’s Building Practitioners
OFA submission to the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding the review of A Place to Grow (APTG) and Provincial Policy Statement (PPS)
OFA submission to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry regarding proposed regulatory updates to streamline approvals under the Conservation Authorities Act
OFA submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding proposed changes to Ontario Regulation 299/19: Additional Residential Units
OFA submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding proposed changes to Ontario’s Building Code
Submission to Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy regarding consideration of Bill 39, Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022
OFA submission to the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding proposed changes to the Planning Act and Development Charges Act, 1997
OFA submission to the Ministry of the Municipal Affairs on Housing regarding the Changes to the Planning Act, as proposed under Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022
OFA submission to Ontario’s Standing Committee regarding Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022
Letter to the Minister of Finance regarding the Ontario Federation of Agriculture 2022 Budget Submission
OFA submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding the projection methodology guideline
OFA submission regarding Ontario’s 2021 pre-budget consultations
OFA submission regarding provisions in the Planning Act to address zoning order matters
OFA letter of support to the University of Guelph regarding proposed research project
OFA submission regarding proposed project list for comprehensive environmental assessments under the Environmental Assessment Act
OFA submission regarding proposal to amend the Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement
OFA submission regarding Ontario’s fall 2020 pre-budget consultation
OFA letter to Minister Clark regarding use of Minister’s Zoning Orders
OFA submission regarding updating Ontario’s Water Quantity Management Framework
OFA submission regarding proposed Growth Plan amendments
OFA submission regarding proposed amendments to Ontario Regulation 244/97 and the Aggregate Resources of Ontario Provincial Standards
OFA submission regarding proposed earlier access to land to conduct preliminary environmental studies for electricity transmission projects
OFA submission regarding a future electricity transmission corridor to support Halton, Peel and York region
OFA submission regarding proposed changes to Development Charges and Community Benefits Charges
OFA submission regarding the draft Southwest Ontario Transportation Plan
Joint letter to Minister Hardeman regarding the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program
OFA letter to Finance Minister Phillips outlining OFA’s 2020 Ontario Pre-Budget recommendations
OFA letter to MPP Jennifer French
OFA letter to Mr. Zach Potashner
OFA letter to Mr. Gary Rygus
OFA submission regarding the proposed Statement of Environmental Values for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
OFA submission regarding the proposed Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, 2019 (Bill 132)
OFA submission regarding changes to delivery of Ontario’s Building Code Services
OFA submission regarding proposed Aggregate Resources Act amendments
OFA submission regarding the Provincial Policy Statement review
OFA submission regarding Development Charges
OFA submission regarding amendments to the Development Charges Act
OFA submission regarding proposed amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act
OFA submission regarding proposed amendments to the Planning Act
OFA letter regarding the Reducing Litter and Waste Discussion Paper
OFA letter regarding the Niagara Escarpment Plan Agricultural Policies
OFA comments on Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan
OFA response to Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018
OFA letter regarding Schedule 10, Bill 66, the Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018
OFA letter regarding Bill 34, Green Energy Repeal Act and amendments to the Electricity, Planning and Environmental Protection Acts
OFA letter to Minister Hardeman regarding Agricultural Impact Assessments
OFA letter to Minister Phillips regarding Excess Soil Management
OFA’s 2019 Federal Pre-Budget Submission
OFA submission regarding Ontario’s Agricultural Impact Assessment Guidance Document
OFA submission regarding Ontario’s Excess Soil Management regulatory proposal
OFA submission providing comments on regulations under the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act
OFA submission regarding Ontario’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
OFA’s 2018 Pre-Budget Consultation Presentation
OFA submission regarding renewable energy generation facility siting
OFA submission regarding Ontario’s proposed food and organic waste framework
OFA submission regarding proposed regulation for Municipal Small Business Programs
OFA submission on role of the Ontario Municipal Board in Ontario’s land use planning system
OFA letter in support of ONN regarding Bill 181
OFA comments on proposed regulations concerning Bill 73 changes to the Planning Act
Letter to MMAH regarding Land Transfer Tax
OFA’s 2016 Pre-budget Submission to Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
EBR submission regarding Bill 73 – Planning Act
Pre-budget Brief Letter to Minister of Finance
Pre-budget Submission to Standing Committee on Finance
Farm leaders reflect on service to provincial organization
Ontario’s farmers get set to gather for annual convention
Farm shows bring people together
OFA, industry stakeholders connect with municipalities over common interests
Taking an active role in representing agriculture is rewarding
Farmers invest back into their communities by supporting local projects
Building bridges with rural leaders
More than 50,000 Ontarians sign on to Home Grown to show support for farmland preservation
Farmland produces food. Let’s work together to keep it that way
Relationship building key for OFA in keeping farmland preservation on local agendas
Municipal elections are critical for farmland preservation
OFA board tour showcases diversity of agriculture in Niagara
OFA highlights collaborative projects and initiatives at second annual Research Day
Local federations cultivating engagement with politicians
OFA case studies illustrate economic and environmental benefits of farmland
OFA addresses key priorities to enhance Ontario’s agri-food sector and rural communities in pre-budget submission
OFA Today – 2021 Edition
OFA’s 2020 virtual annual meeting focuses on road to recovery for agri-food sector
Agricultural representation key to regional economic recovery task forces
OFA welcomes updates to Ontario’s Drainage Act
OFA opposes residential severances on prime ag land
A look back at Ontario agriculture in 2019
Working with municipalities to cope with change
Fair farm tax ratios are a tough sell in many municipalities
A Christmas message from OFA
Community builder delivers simple messages for rural residents
Keep agriculture on the minds of your municipal leaders
Let’s keep agricultural issues on the municipal election agenda
Showcasing Ontario’s agri-food opportunities
OFA hosts joint Queen’s Park event on economic development priorities
Best practices to cultivate connections with municipalities
Agriculture Matters – a Guide for Municipal Councillors and Staff
Producing Prosperity – an election priority
Agricultural System in the Greater Golden Horseshoe – FAQ
Supporting Agriculture in your Community