HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-06-14 MinutesAgricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Members Present: John Cartwright Brenda Metcalf Don Rickard
Eric Bowman Tom Barrie Henry Zekveld,
Ted Watson Les Caswell Wendy Partner
Ben Eastman
Regrets: Jennifer Knox Richard Rekker,
Guests: Nancy Rutherford, Durham Region Economic Development
Staff: Amy Burke and Faye Langmaid, Planning Services;
Brenda welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions.
Adoption of Agenda
018-12 Moved by Don Rickard, seconded by Eric Bowman
-That the Agenda for June 14, 2018 be adopted_
Carried
Approval of Minutes
018-13 Moved by Eric Bowman, seconded by Les Caswell
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Carried
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Broadband Study. To date the review has included collection of information and an
understanding of the state of broadband coverage within the Region. In addition, there
have been case analysis of the role other municipalities and Regions has taken.
Broadband is becoming necessary infrastructure for businesses. The Region needs to
determine the role it has in providing this infrastructure.
The Phase One study provides a clear message that Durham Region has fallen behind.
Therefore our businesses are having a harder time competing. This applies not just to
urban areas but also rural areas. Rural areas are among the lowest service areas in the
GTA. The thinking has to go beyond servicing bandwidth for gaming, movies and
entertainment. Rather health care, banking and other essential services are moving on
line. Also many businesses are moving away from bricks and mortar to allowing for
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 14, 2018
work from home. This means that many residents are making broadband and internet
part of their decision-making process in where they buy and locate their family.
Overall the Region needs to be in a better place to be application ready for funding
opportunities, they need to define their role for this form of infrastructure. The study
clearly defines that the rural areas are significantly underserviced.
There could be better interconnection between schools, health care and municipalities
who often have extended dedicated lines to service their sites, if there is space within
the line to allow others access.
Other sites that have dedicated lines that cannot be accessed because of remote
monitoring of sites include Clarington Transformer, Windfarm, Port Granby Water
Treatment Plant.
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members can express to others why broadband coverage in the rural areas is crucial.
Business Arising
Durham Farm Connections received the Irene Kock Education award from DEAC on
May 30th. This was in recognition of the invaluable educational work of the group over
the past 10 years. Brenda reminded all to get tickets to the Agriculture Gala on October
25th in Port Perry. Typically the event sells out. Donations are always welcome.
Correspondence and Committee Reports
018-14 Moved by John Cartwright, seconded by Ted Watson
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Carried
018-15 Moved by John Cartwright, seconded by Les Caswell
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❑DAHAE1 F:1 UD/FL-tourism rezoning application dated June 14tnMM❑❑❑ MU
Carried
The committee does not have a role in site specific agri-tourism applications, rather the
committee has provided input into the definition of agri-tourism and the criteria used by
Planning Services to evaluate applications.
Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee: -Working on DAAC Tour for September 13th at
5 H -i EFZ HNf LSP H VI D®JI]IIAt the recent meeting TRCA provided a
presentation on the work they are doing within the urban areas on storm water
management and low impact development to address first flush and storm intensity.
Presentation by Dan Ruby on the Ontario Centres of Excellence and reduction of
greenhouse gas; there is a discrepancy between the funding provided to the Centres of
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 14, 2018
Excellence and what Soil and Crop has been able to obtain so that is being followed up
by DAAC.
Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: (no meeting)
Clarington Board of Trade Recent luncheon with Tweed the Cannabis operator was
well attended (110 people). The next areas for the business are research and
development of the strains of cannabis and varieties including the specific health
benefits of each. The retail opportunity and how to deploy into that area of business will
come with the change in legislation. Spin-offs of the industry which have already taken
effect in education are courses being offered at Durham College and UGIT. The
courses range from how to be a cannabis sommelier to the medicinal benefits of the
different components.
New Business
Future Agendas F1 Suggestions for future agendas are L TN5\52❑ -II I -Q F0 33 -D (-I
Premier, as well as a business representative from the local cannabis operators.
John Cartwright moved to Adjourn.
Next Meeting: Thursday, July 12', 2018 @ 7:30 pm, Blackbird and MTO have been
invited to respond to issues raised at May meeting.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 14, 2018