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
Puslinch voters, this matters!A Resource for Puslinch Candidates and Residents on Election Day ✅️ Today, as Ontarians cast their ballots in the 2026 municipal election, we’re sharing an initiative from the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance that relates closely to many of the land-use issues being discussed here in Puslinch.The Alliance is inviting municipal candidates across Greenbelt communities to sign its Municipal Leadership Pledge — a commitment concerning the protection and strengthening of farmland, water systems, natural heritage and complete communities.🖊️ Candidates who are interested can review the pledge and choose whether to add their name.👥 Residents can also visit the site to learn more about the pledge and see participating candidates across Ontario.🔎 Learn more and view the candidate pledge map online here:GreenbeltAlliance.ca🌽💧🏡 Protecting farmland, water and natural heritage is part of the broader conversation about how our communities grow — and we believe residents benefit from having clear information about where these issues stand.💚 Help Protect Puslinch is non-partisan and does not endorse candidates.Image provided by Ontario Greenbelt Alliance.#Puslinch #Greenbelt #Farmland #NaturalHeritage #MunicipalElection
Happy municipal election day! In townships across Wellington Halton Hills we need strong advocates for the environment, water protection, farmland protection, and deeply affordable housing. Let's vote for leaders who will work together for a better future. Thank you to those who have put themselves forward. Good luck! We're cheering for you.#foodbelt #WaterForLifGreen Party of Ontarioof Ontario R.E.A.C.H Wellington- Rural Engagement and Advocacy for Community Housing
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Protect the Foodbelt Barn Mural Community Celebration. It was wonderful to bring people together to celebrate our local food system and the importance of protecting Ontario’s farmland for generations to come.A big thank you to everyone who helped make this day possible, including Anishinaabe artist August Swinson for bringing this mural to life.The work to protect our Foodbelt continues. 💚Learn more and take action at the link in our bio.#ProtectTheFoodbelt #OntarioFarmland #Foodbelt #CommunityArt #ProtectOurFood
Communities in Wellington-Halton Hills depend on underground aquifers for all of their water--for drinking, sanitation, business, and agriculture. If the wells run dry, we have no alternatives. And yet, right now, Ice River Springs, through its subsidiary White Wolf, is seeking permits to extract water from sites in Erin and Puslinch for its bottled water operations. It will extract water for less than pennies (approximately $500 for a million litres), bottle it, then sell it back to Canadians. You do the math. We've been here before. Community action with leadership Water WatcherschersSaveOurWater.CAer.CA stopped Nestle and stopped Blue Triton. It's time to stand up to stop Ice River Springs. Act now to Save Our Water (aWater Watchersr Watchers is leading the way. The first step is to send an email to Premier Doug Ford, Environment Minister Todd McCarthy, and your MPP today. Tell them: Extend the public comment period and reject the renewal of White Wolf's water-taking permits for bottling. To lend your voice, go to www.waterwatchers.ca/reject#WaterForLife#GPOt#saveourwaterO #saveourwater
Reject the Permits: No Water-Taking for Bottling
www.waterwatchers.ca
Empowering people to work in solidarity towards social justice through the unifying lens of water
What a great collaboration! Thank you, Shawna Percy and Ag Care Connect for putting the foodbelt and farmland protection on the map. If you haven't seen it yet, take a drive along highway 6 between Fergus and Guelph. You can't miss it! If you want to take action to protect farmland, get in tAilsa Kay Ailsa Kay.
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 [...]
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