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.
Donate Today
With your help, we can build a future you can believe in. Every little bit helps.
Facebook Posts
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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Read this article! Shawna Percy Ag Care Connect is an inspiration.
This week’s Market Fresh Price Check features 🥔Little Potatoes! Come and get your little potatoes at The Rockwood farmers market Wednesday 4 to 7 PM!💲 Farmers’ Market Price: $5.00/3lbs of potatoes🛒 Average Grocery Store Price: $7.50/3lbs of potatoesMarket Vendor: Big John’s Country Market @Wellington North Farmers Market*Prices compared the week of July 19 - July 26Many shoppers are surprised to learn that locally grown food can be just as affordable as other shopping options. Plus, you’re getting seasonal produce at its freshest while supporting Wellington County farmers and food producers.Stop by your local market this week and discover what’s in season.#MintoFarmersMarket #GuelphFarmersMarket #RockwoodFarmersMarket #EloraFarmersMarket #ErinFarmersMarket MapletonFarmersMarket WellingtonNorthFarmersMarket WellingtonCounty @MintoFarmersMarket Wellington North Farmers Market, Township of Mapleton, Elora Farmers' Market, Erin Farmers' Market, Guelph Farmers Market, The Rockwood Farmer's Market
In The Media
Mike Schreiner leads discussion on affordable housing
ELORA – Ontario Green Party Leader and Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner championed a discussion on [...]
Ontario Green Leader Mike Schreiner Visits Fergus to Talk Housing Solutions
FERGUS – Ontario Green Party Leader and Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner was in Fergus Wednesday [...]
Halton Hills Council backs new foodbelt plan to protect prime farmland
Halton Hills Council has unanimously endorsed a proposal to establish a foodbelt protection plan advisory [...]
Centre Wellington council endorses Schreiner/Brady bill
ELORA – Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner and Haldimand–Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady were preaching to [...]
Community members gather for Bill 5 rally in Elora
ELORA – Community members and activists gathered at MacDonald Square in Elora on Aug. 23 [...]
How Wellington-Halton Hills candidates plan to tackle affordability and the health-care crisis
Wilton said her government wants to eliminate the land transfer tax for first-time homebuyers as [...]
Animated Belwood audience boos, sighs, applauds for candidates
BELWOOD – An all-candidates meeting was held Feb. 19 at the Pine Meadows community in Belwood. [...]
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 [...]
WHH Residents Speak Up
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