OFA has provided comments to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing through their consultation process for addressing growth and housing needs in South Simcoe.
OFA opposes proposed settlement area expansions in South Simcoe where they would convert prime agricultural land to urban uses. OFA supports accommodating growth through intensification within existing urban boundaries rather than expanding into rural farmland.
OFA argues that the subject lands contain high-quality, irreplaceable agricultural soils that are essential to Ontario’s agri-food sector, which contributes more than $51 billion annually to the provincial economy. OFA warns that continued farmland loss threatens food security, agricultural productivity, and specialty crop industries, particularly potato farming in Simcoe and Dufferin counties.
Our submission recommends that the Province:
- Avoid urbanizing prime agricultural areas;
- Require agricultural impact assessments for affected lands;
- Direct growth to existing built-up areas through intensification; and
- Consider stronger protections for specialty crop areas.