By Drew Spoelstra, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

The demand for energy is growing in Ontario, as is the need for reliable supply and infrastructure that will provide sustainable, affordable options and accommodate growth across all sectors of the economy, including the agri-food sector.

Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sector is not only a cornerstone of our province’s economy, but also a critical part of our identity and our future. We produce more than 200 different farm and food products that sustain our communities, fuel our rural economies, and provide jobs for 11 per cent of Ontario’s work force.

With an annual contribution of over $50 billion to Ontario’s economy, the agri-food sector is undeniably one of the most significant drivers of economic prosperity in our province, which is a key reason the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has long been advocating for affordable and reliable energy options. This is particularly true for rural Ontario, which is where so much of our food, fuel, fibre and flower production takes place.

That’s why, as a farmer and president of the OFA, I was pleased be part of an event this past week where the provincial government announced a new energy procurement framework for Ontario. It will take a mix of all types of energy generation infrastructure to meet the growing demand for reliable, affordable and sustainable power, and this plan focuses on a diverse supply mix that includes nuclear, hydroelectric, renewables, natural gas and biomass.

For farmers, however, what is particularly important about this new procurement framework is that it balances our energy needs with the protection of Ontario’s prime agricultural land. New energy projects will need local support resolutions and will not be allowed in specialty crop areas. Agricultural impact assessments will be required for projects proposed in prime agricultural areas, and there will be incentives for projects in northern Ontario and on crown lands that avoid prime agricultural areas.

The introduction of Agricultural Impact Assessments for new energy projects in particular is a positive step for Ontario. It means that as our province grows its energy infrastructure, there will be mechanisms in place to protect the land that sustains and feeds us.

At the same time, it will help demonstrate how on-farm diversified energy production can also participate in Ontario’s energy future, and help reduce our carbon footprint, while sustaining the agricultural sector.

The OFA, at the direction of our more than 38,000 members across Ontario, has long been a passionate advocate for farmland preservation and ensure that agriculture remains the primary use for our province’s best farmland.

Productive soil is a finite resource; once it’s gone, it’s not coming back. It’s also the fundamental building block for food production and it’s been disappearing at an alarming rate in Ontario.

That’s why OFA appreciates the efforts of the Ministry of Energy and Electrification and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and urges all levels of government to prioritize farmland preservation and to make decisions through a forward-thinking lens of responsible development that supports our food security as well as meeting economic growth and infrastructure needs.

This is one example of the balanced approach to infrastructure, planning and development that our province needs and we encourage government to follow similar paths in areas other than energy to ensure that we can continue to protect and nurture our agricultural sector while supporting Ontario’s economic growth.

For more information, contact:

Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca