OFA has provided comments to the Municipal Finance Policy Branch of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on their consultation: Limiting Municipal Stormwater Fees and Charges: Amending O. Reg 584/06 of the Municipal Act, 2001 and O. Reg 595/06 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006.

OFA welcomes the provincial proposal to limit municipal stormwater fees but urges stronger protections for agricultural and managed forest properties. OFA reiterates that stormwater fees and charges should not apply to farm or managed forest lands, as these lands already provide significant stormwater management and environmental benefits and, in many cases, are managed under the Drainage Act at the landowners’ expense. OFA opposes limiting exemptions only to portions of properties or to those without “direct connections,” arguing this would result in farmers paying fees for services they do not use, and calls for clear definitions of “municipal storm sewer” and “direct connection” focused on grey infrastructure. If any charges are permitted on directly connected agricultural properties, OFA insists they must not be set at industrial or commercial rates and must reflect the lower runoff and on-farm water management practices. OFA also questions whether farmers will be able to recover stormwater fees already paid and welcomes continued engagement as the proposal moves forward.