Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee

That the Rules of Procedure be suspended to permit the consideration of the following motion:

WHEREAS the City of Ottawa has a large agricultural area (over 1,000 farms) and continues to play an important role in Ontario's agri-food sector, $165 million in farm cash receipts; and WHEREAS the agri-food sector is the second largest industry in Ontario, contributing nearly $40 billion annually to Ontario’s GDP and is essential for providing food and fuel at home and across the globe; and WHEREAS Ontario farms have increasingly come under threat of unwanted trespassers and activists who are illegally entering property, barns and buildings, seizing private property and threatening the health and safety of the farm, employees, livestock and crops; and WHEREAS in December 2019, the Government of Ontario introduced new legislation in Bill 156 -Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 which will ensure farm businesses have a legal standing to protect their farm, family and employees, livestock, crops and ultimately the entire food supply; and WHEREAS the City supports the effort being made by the Ontario government to protect those working in the agri-food sector. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommends Council strongly supports Bill 156, Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act and that a copy of this motion be forwarded to the Honourable Ernie Hardman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and to the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA).

That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) approve the addition of this Item for consideration by the Committee at the March 5, 2020 ARAC Meeting, pursuant to Section 89(3) of the Procedure By-Law, in order to meet Spring construction timelines.

WHEREAS a rural residential lot has been created at 6900 Bleeks Road through a Consent to Sever; and WHEREAS the new property fronts on an unmaintained section of City road; and WHEREAS the owner wishes to obtain a building permit in respect of the residential lot; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee : Refer to Council the matters of Bleeks Road and the property at 6900 Bleeks Road; and Direct Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development Department staff to work with the owner to explore options available to address the issue of frontage upon an improved road in order to be able to present a recommend approach to the March 25, 2020 Council meeting.