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The Canadian Champion. Tuesday. September 14, 2004-21 Ointario's Greenbelt pianning a complex and crucial issue Ontario's Greenhelt Task Force has pubtished its report, sunnmariz- ing several months of public con- soltations and providing a series of recomunendations to the minister of municipal affairs and housing. Wben this exercise started, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) stressed thc importance of viability for agriculture's future. The Task Forcc's report men- tions viability as an objective, but provides no real solutions. Partway tbrougb the consultation process, when the OFA insisted Obat viability into Uic future for agriculture was a requiremrent. the province named Lyle Vanclief anad Bo Bcdggood as an Agriculture Advisory Teamn to look exclusively at viability. The Task Foree report says it "hopes Uiis team will address Uic concers that protection of tond atone does not ensure agricultural viability." The OFA and Ontario's fanners need to be convinced Uic advisory team will be able to do what's necessary tu make the con- nection between viability and Uic protection of farmland fromn devel- opmnent. At Uiis stage. we don't even know if or when the advisory Ocamn will be issuing a report or what Uic govemment's response migbt be to Uic advisory teamn's thooghts on maintaining viability in Uic farn- ing secoor. Tlhe Task Foree's report lista a number of possible alterna- OFA Pu itl Commentary tives for protecting agricuttural tonds. Residential severonces is front and centre in ail of Uiem. There are regional différences Uirougbout Uic province dictating Uiat a différent approacb to granti- ng severonces is needed. depend- ing wbere you live. Ian some ameas, gronting Uic sale of residential lots for surplus dwetlings sbould be restricted tu, enance agricultures economic future. In other ameas, Uie only way a farm con remain viable is if farm- ers are altowed te, seil off surplus residential units. We need local agricutturot input into Uiese tond use decisions. Land use policy is only one aspect in cnsuring that agricuture and green space are protected. lTse OFA bas made a number of sug- gestions tu the Task Force and tu Uic Agricultural Advisory Team. Wc need t0 sec Uiese tbougbts brougbo forward as poticy recora- mendations: *Public investment in drainage *Stronger farm practices protec- tion legistation - Clear commitment to fonding Uic costs of source water protection on farms -Confidence in continued gov- emment involvement in agricultur- ai research These are items Uiat will belp agriculture and green space in Ontario. The Task Force's recommenda- tion UhithUi grecobelo 'be bronded and marketed as a publicly valued and important resouree... for cul- tural activities, recreation and tourism," isn't someUiing farmers and their organi.eations con sup- port, especially wben we consider Uic issues wiUi abondoned rail Uines thas bave been foroned mno biking trails. Farmers, while supportive of maintaining green space, aren't willing to bave Uieir crop bonds tumned int areas for taiking and oUier formns of recreation by a pub- lic lacking understonding or respect for private land rights. These are issues Uiat erode Uic eco- nomnic future of faenntond. Before Uic Ontario Federation of Agriculture and its members con endorse thse apparent goals and objectives of the provincial gov- emment wiUi its greenbett report, we nced a comprebiensive report fromn thse Agricutturat Advisory Tcam and a clear indication of wbat thse govemment intends to do wiUi Uiat report. Paul Mistele i.s a member of the Ontario Federatioo of Agriculture executise committee. I B 1 GS R ILL OLTBE AI UNIUE1PO UPIS1SUA Your United Way In Action ~fr' ~ I7he UnitedHVay of9.(iton Hey Neighbour! We invite you to jomn us for a fre "getting; to know each other" barbeque at our annual United Way of Milton Awareness Event! Place: Milton Loblaws Parking Lot Date: Saturday, September l8th, 2004 Time: il a.m. - 3 p.m. The Event Features: " Hot <logs and drinks " Meet your Mayor, local Councillors & United Way Volualeer " Face painting for kids " Fun & Easy Feandraising Ideas " Chance ta w.. an ice creain cake froua Jay's Ice Crean Parlour or a gifi certifiate froua Pasqualinoo Restaurant! To our long-urne residents, this is our chance to say "thank you" for the many years of support and encouragement. To our many "new" residents, we say welcome and let's al become "good neighbours' together! Note: This is NOT afundraising event!!! The United Way of Milton - Neighbours Helping Neighbours How can you help? tf yo work oulside of Mitton and duriate by payroli deduction - please designate your donation "home' tu The United Way nf Milton. *Matie a direct donation - Attend a united Way of Mitton Speciat Enent Tel: (905) 875-2550 Fax: (905) 875-2402 URL: www.milton.unitedway.ca E-mail: office@ mitton.unitedway.ca