HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 12 10 AACC Minutes FinalAgricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting
Members Present:
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Eric Bowman
Tom Barrie
Richard Rekker
John Cartwright
Henry Zekveld
Les Caswell
Don Rickard
Brenda Metcalf
Councillor Zwart
Regrets: Jennifer Knox, Ben Eastman, Ted Watson
Staff: Amy Burke, Faye Langmaid — Planning and Development Services
Guests: MP Philip Lawrence, Northumberland -Peterborough South; Ryan
Cullen; Jordan McKay; Catherine Lokietek; Allison Brown, Region of
Durham Planning and Economic Development
Due to COVID 19 restrictions and to ensure social distancing, participation in the
meeting was electronic (using Microsoft Teams) and by conference call.
Eric welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions.
Declarations of interest
None.
Adoption of Agenda
020-23 Moved by John Cartwright, seconded by Richard Rekker
That the Agenda for December 10, 2020 be adopted.
Carried
Approval of Minutes
020-24 Moved by John Cartwright, seconded by Tom Barrie
That the minutes of the November 12, 2020 meeting be approved.
Carried
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 10, 2020
Presentation
Philip Lawrence, MP (Northumberland -Peterborough South): MP Lawrence
provided an overview and background on the private members bill that he introduced to
the legislature and is now in Second Reading. Private Members Bill, Bill C-206, An Act
to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, if passed, would extend the
exemption to paying the Federal Carbon Tax for qualifying farming fuel to marketable
natural gas and propane. These fuels are routinely used by farms for drying grain and
heating barns. MP Lawrence indicated that these types of farm fuel uses cannot be
reduced. As such, applying a Carbon Tax to these fuels would not incentivize an
appreciable reduction in their use. MP Lawrence stated that when the Carbon Tax in its
current format is fully escalated it will represent approximately 5% of the fuel cost that
farmers pay. A timeline for a final decision on the bill is not known at this time.
Delegations
None.
Business Arisina from Minutes
"Share the Road" Signage: At the November Committee meeting a concern about the
busy nature of new Share the Road signs that have been seen in Durham Region
arose. With assistance from Allison Brown, it was clarified that these news signs are
from the Township of Scugog. The Region of Durham's Share the Road signage has
not changed.
Request of Ministerial Zoning Order Resolution: Council has approved a
reconsideration of Resolution #C-418-20 discussed at the November AACC meeting,
and a resolution to revoke the following paragraph from that resolution:
"That the Province commit to reviewing the lands south of Highway 2 between Hwy 418
and Maple Grove Road for inclusion in the Greenbelt based on their contributions to the
systems of agriculture, natural heritage and water resources."
The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has been advised of the revocation of this
request.
Special Study Area 2 in the Clarington Official Plan contains policies in relation to the
rural land located between Courtice and Bowmanville and Bowmanville and Newcastle,
north of Highway 401 and south of the Greenbelt Area. Policy direction to study the
agricultural value of these lands and to consider seeking the addition of any identified
high yielding agricultural lands to the Greenbelt stemmed from recommendation made
by the AACC during the Official Plan Review. In light of the growing concern in the
community about this policy direction, reconsideration may be needed. Committee
members were asked to review the background information and Special Study Area 2
policies previously circulated by Staff in advance of the next meeting. This matter will
be included on the January 2021 meeting agenda for discussion.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 10, 2020
Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals
AACC 2021 — 2024 Member Appointments: On November 30, 2020 the General
Government Committee of Council made four appointment to the AACC for the 2021 —
2024 term, including reappointment of Committee members Brenda Metcalf and Henry
Zekveld. The appointments will be considered for ratification by Council on December
14, 2020.
This meeting was the final Committee meeting for longstanding members Ted Watson
and Les Caswell. Ted Watson was a founding member of the Committee. Sincere
appreciation was extended by the Committee for his hard work over many years to help
ensure that Council is informed on agriculture an agriculture -related issues. Great
thanks were also extended to Les Caswell for his time spent contributing to the
Committee and many of the Committee's working groups.
Annual Update to Council: Annual AACC Report in development. Tentative dates for
the AACC Chair's annual update are January 11 (Planning & Development Committee)
or January 18 (Council).
Liaison Reports
Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee: Tom Barrie provided an update from the
December 8 DAAC meeting in his email to all prior to the meeting. No further
discussion by the Committee.
Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: Rickard Rekker provided an update from
the November 18 DRFA meeting in his email to all prior to the meeting. No further
discussion by the Committee.
Clarington Board of Trade: Staff provided an update on the recent official opening of
the new Toyota warehouse in Bowmanville. The 350,000 square foot facility has
achieved high design standards for both environmental sustainability and accessibility.
New Business
Proposed Study on Soil Health: Correspondence from Hon. Robert Black (Senator —
Ontario) regarding this matter was forwarded to the Committee in advance of the
meeting. Mr. Black is seeking feedback and support on a potential request to the
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry for a new study to be
undertaken on the importance of soil health. The correspondence from Mr. Black
indicates that the last Federal report on soil health is 35 years old. Committee members
discussed a number of agencies and organizations that are engaged in similar work,
including OMAFRA / University of Guelph and the Soil & Crop Association.
Zone Clarington — Rural Areas Phase: Procedural notice was given that on
December 14, 2020, Council will consider "lifting" of the rural phase of the
comprehensive zoning by-law review project. In October 2019, Clarington's Planning
and Development Committee of Council tabled the Rural Areas Phase of the project
indefinitely. This means that work on updating zoning for Clarington's rural areas was
placed on hold. If a "lifting" motion is approved by Council on December 14, Council
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 10, 2020
may then give direction to Staff with respect to resuming work on reviewing zoning for
Clarington's rural areas.
COVID-19 and Local Economic Impact: Henry Zekveld brought forward concerns
regarding the on -going economic / community impact of the restrictions placed on local
businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Henry questioned whether the
number of COVID cases locally warranted the level of restrictions in place and
expressed concern about the social, mental and long-term financial implications. While
many Committee members expressed agreement with concern for the community, it
was acknowledged that the local agricultural sector has adapted and maintained
viability.
Next Meeting
Thursday, January 14, 2021 @ 7:30 pm (Virtual Meeting)
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 10, 2020