Take Action
In Wellington-Halton Hills, we’re building momentum on these GPO campaigns
- Reverse Bill 5!
- Protect our farmland
- Build more homes people can afford
What if we treated the land that feeds us like the essential infrastructure it is?
Ontario’s farmland grows more than food. It supports farmers, rural communities, local economies and our ability to feed future generations. Yet, Ontario loses 319 acres of farmland to development every day! That’s equivalent to about 582 family farms per year.
Bill 21, the Protect Our Food Act, proposes a new approach to protecting farmland, farms, and our vital agricultural sector.
If passed, the bill would create a Foodbelt Protection Plan Advisory Committee, bringing farmers, agricultural experts, soil scientists, planners and agricultural organizations together to recommend how Ontario can better protect a connected agricultural land base.
In Wellington-Halton Hills, we understand the value of agriculture. That’s why a local organization, Ag Care Connect, is stepping up to put farmland protection where people can’t miss it: on the side of a barn!
On September 26, join us at this barn to paint a barn banner, celebrate the installation of a large mural by artist August Swinson, design a barn quilt, meet community members, enjoy music and tell our MPPs to Vote “Yes” to the Protect Our Food Act.
Click “one time gift” to direct your donation. All one-time donations received between August 21 and October 27 will go directly to the Barn Mural Project.
R.E.A.C.H. Wellington
Sponsored by the Wellington-Halton Hills Greens, Rural Engagement for Community Housing and Advocacy (REACH) is hosting the Centre Wellington Mayors’ Debate.
Wednesday, September 23 6:00-9:00
Jefferson Elora Community Centre
6:30-7:30 Debate
Public Q&A to follow
Light refreshments provided
Donate Today
With your help, we can build a future you can believe in. Every little bit helps.
Facebook Posts
What if we treated the land that feeds us like the essential infrastructure it is?Ontario’s farmland grows more than food. It supports farmers, rural communities, local economies and our ability to feed future generations. Yet, Ontario loses 319 acres of farmland to development every day! That's equivalent to about 582 family farms per year.In Wellington-Halton Hills, we understand the value of agriculture. That's why a local organization, Ag Care Connect, is stepping up to put farmland protection where people can’t miss it: on the side of a barn! www.foodbelt.caOn September 26, join us for a family-friendly event in support of the proposed Protect Our Food Act. Join us to:- paint a barn banner- take a selfie in front of the large barn mural by artist August Swinson- design a barn quilt- hear inspiring speeches by Ontario Green Leader and MPP Mike Schreiner and others- enjoy music and Ontario harvest food- participate in kid-friendly activitiesTell Ontario MPPs to Vote "Yes" to the Protect Our Food Act. Our farmland is our future. We can't afford to lose it.
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Ontario loses 319 acres of farmland every single day. These days, we're talking people at farmer's markets and fairs about why this matters. Today at the Georgetown Farmers' Market and Go Green Environmental fair, I spoke to a mathy person who frowned and, you guessed it, did the math. At 319 acres/day that's 116,435 acres/year, which translates to roughly 582 family farms/year. Every year, 582 family farms with all that knowledge, heritage, and agricultural production--gone. What does that mean for local food production? For the farmers' markets we love? Learn more about the bill and what you can do: agcareconnect.ca/foodbelt/#Bill21 Come find us at a Wellington Halton-Hills market to write your own postcard to MPP Joseph Racinsky. We'll be at the Elora Farmer's Market this Saturday, August 29.
Ontarians paid $30 million into a fund to recycle tires. There's now a surplus sitting in it. So what does the Ford government do? Hands it to the tire companies instead of the people who paid it.The priorities could not be more clear. The corporations are who they work for. Not you.
Protection of farmland is such a big issue (broad as a barn door, you might say!) that we’re painting a barn to draw attention to it. We are losing too much of Ontario's valuable farmland to sprawl. How will we feed Ontario if we keep losing land at this pace? Tell your MPP to Vote "Yes" to the proposed Protect Our Food Act.
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In The Media
Mike Schreiner leads discussion on affordable housing
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Ontario Green Leader Mike Schreiner Visits Fergus to Talk Housing Solutions
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Halton Hills Council backs new foodbelt plan to protect prime farmland
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Centre Wellington council endorses Schreiner/Brady bill
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Wilton said her government wants to eliminate the land transfer tax for first-time homebuyers as [...]
Animated Belwood audience boos, sighs, applauds for candidates
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Health care, roads, voter turnout, local knowledge dominate discussion at Aberfoyle debate
Wilton said the loss of farmland to development is a big concern in the riding [...]
The Protect Our Food Act
Proposed by Ontario Greens Leader and Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner and Independent MPP for Haldimand–Norfolk Bobbi Ann Brady
Here in Wellington and Halton:
- 2,600+ farms grow what our families eat.
- 12% of Ontario’s dairy cattle and milk production.
- 10% of the province’s poultry and egg farms.
- 8% of hog and pig operations.
Halton Hills’ agri-business sector adds $50 million to the local economy each year — and its greenhouses and nurseries are major local employers.
Once farmland is destroyed, it’s gone forever.
- In the past 35 years, Ontario has lost 2.8 million acres — 18% of farmland.
- Farmland loss is accelerating: 319 acres per day (about nine family farms per week).
Local stakes
- A Mississauga developer is appealing to the Ontario Land Tribunal to turn Class A farmland north of Elora/Salem into sprawl — in direct opposition to the Township’s efforts to protect farmland.
- The Township is fighting for farmland; the Province is siding with developers.
But with the Protect Our Food Act, communities like ours will have a chance to defend local farms.
What can you do?
- Email Joseph Racinsky to support the Foodbelt
- Sign the petition
- Donate locally to the Wellington-Halton Hills Constituency Association
Make a difference today. Protect Ontario farmland.
Get Involved
Get in touch: whh@gpo.ca