WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Wellington Federation of Agriculture heard from all Wellington-Halton Hills candidates at a webinar last week. The only candidate not present was PC Party of Ontario’s Joseph Racinsky.
All other candidates fielded a series of agriculture-related questions from President of the WFA Barclay Nap. Past president Janet Harrop was also on hand.
Following introductions, Alex Hilson of the Ontario Liberal Party, Ron Patava, an Independent Candidate, New Blue’s Steven Kitras, Bronwynne Wilton of the Green Party, the NDP’s Simone Kent and Jason Medland of the Ontario Party all made remarks.
When asked about supporting Ontario farmers and helping Ontario maintain a secure and stable domestic food supply, the candidates had varied responses.
Wilton gave a few key points on behalf of the Green Party.
Kitras meanwhile vouched for a different banking system- a more robust system that can get more farmers into the industry.
Kent said the NDP would protect farmland from development and remove tolls from Highway 407 for trucks to reduce the need to pave over farmland, while Liberal candidate Alex Hilson said programs like “right to repair,” risk management, succession planning, and a fund for capital projects, would help farmers.
Patava vouched for a specific program to bolster locally grown foods in the school system. Easing barriers to farming practices and equipment was a common theme across several parties including the Ontario Party.
Candidates were also asked what their plan is to prevent urban sprawl. Medland stressed the Ontario Party’s committment to focussing on zoning regulations.
Hilson stated building within current boundaries is possible, while the New Blue’s Kitras reiterated the issue spans across the entirety of the province.
Kent said smart land use planning would protect prime farmland allowing more density, legalizing four-plexes, and adding affordable homes to reduce sprawl.
Patava was of the mindset that tackling the issue locally is paramount.
Ontarians will head to the polls on February 27th.
You can find the full virtual meeting here.
