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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-09* Subject to Advisory Committee approval * Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington September 11, 2025 Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting Minutes Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025 Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Microsoft Teams or Meeting Room 1C, Municipal Administrative Centre 40 Temperance St., Bowmanville, Ontario Members Present: Henry Zekveld (Chair), Councillor Zwart, Eric Bowman, Lloyd Vandergaast, Tom Barrie, Jennifer Knox, John Cartwright, Richard Rekker, Brad Found, Craig Rickard Regrets: Mitch Morawetz (DRFA), Chris Ennis Staff Present: Sylvia Jennings, Alicia da Silva, David Perkins, Brendan Grigg – Planning and Infrastructure Services Guests: Ken Thajer – Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, Bryan Fairfield 1. Welcome and Introductions H. Zekveld welcomed everyone to the meeting with introductions. 2. Land Acknowledgement Statement H. Zekveld recited the Land Acknowledgement Statement. 3. Declarations of Interest None. 4. Approval of Minutes of September 11, 2025 025-018 Moved by E. Bowman, seconded by T. Barrie That the Minutes of the September 11, 2025 meeting be approved. Carried 5. Presentations / Delegations 5a. Conservation Authority Jurisdiction, Tile Drainage, and Wetland Delineation – Ken Thajer, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) K. Thajer provided a presentation regarding Conservation Authority jurisdiction, wetland delineation, and tile drainage permissions. Conservation Authorities have a delegated responsibility from the Province of Ontario to manage local watersheds. They also provide local programming managing Conservation Authority owned lands, drinking water course protection, surface & groundwater monitoring and Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington October 9, 2025 drought/low water & flood programs. They have a permitting role for development activities within regulated areas. Ontario Regulation 41/24 describes the Conservation Authorities’ regulatory jurisdiction. This regulation includes definitions for watercourses and wetlands and describe when Conservation Authority permissions are not needed to install tile drains. Conservation Authorities will issue permits if an activity is not likely to affect flooding, erosion, dynamic beaches or unstable soil or bedrock and the activity is not likely to create conditions or circumstances that, in the event of a natural hazard, might jeopardize the health or safety of persons or result in the damage or destruction of property. Tile drain outlets generally should be properly constructed with the appropriate pipes and set back from a watercourse and the boundary of wetlands. Tile outlets should be inspected annually, and ditch conditions should be monitored. If farmers have concerns with natural hazard features and/or wetlands mapped on their property, they are encouraged to reach out to their conservation authority. Mapping is based on the conservation authorities’ best information, but site visits may be necessary to confirm the features on a site. On site visits, conservation authority staff can determine if a wetland is present and identify its limits based on the provincially regulated criteria as well as identifying watercourses. K. Thajer answered questions from Committee members. He noted that farmers should reach out to their local conservation authority for specific queries. The definition for a watercourse has recently changed. Conservation Authorities receive some funding through the Province and municipal levies but must also collect permitting fees to fund their work. K. Thajer’s role is primarily focused on development permitting, but the GRCA is also responsible for managing land, floodplain mapping, flood forecasting, and other watershed management. K. Thajer encouraged Committee members to reach out if they have any concerns, and the conservation authority will try to help as best they can with approval processes. Generally, in regard to permitting tile drains, the Conservation Authority’s goal is to maintain watercourses, their associated floodplains and wetlands and minimize erosion. GRCA advised that even if there is not a watercourse present, the landowner may still have an obligation to maintain drainage through common law. H. Zekveld thanked K. Thajer for his presentation. 5b. Clarington Building Division – Brendan Grigg B. Grigg introduced himself to the Committee and described recent updates the Ontario Building Code that pertain to farm buildings. New changes have been introduced to ensure that large scale agricultural buildings are developed with similar safety features of similar industrial buildings. He described the training that building inspectors will undergo on these new updates. B. Grigg answered questions from Committee members. The municipality is required to enforce the Ontario Building Code (OBC). Changes to the OBC are at the Province’s discretion. Recent changes were proposed to harmonize building codes across the country to improve efficiency. They underwent four rounds of consultation. Sprinklers in rural areas are generally required to be connected to a pond. Agricultural building permits make up a small percentage of the building Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington October 9, 2025 department’s work. Committee members emphasized the importance of inspectors being familiar with farm operations. H. Zekveld thanked B. Grigg for speaking with the Committee. 6. Business Arising from the Minutes 6a. AACC Farm Tour Update The Committee discussed their first farm tour. The event was positively received, and there was a good turnout from departments like By-law. Committee members agreed it would be beneficial to host the event annually if there is a willing host. Attendees noted that it provided them a good perspective on farming. For future tours, the Committee would like to target decision makers like managers and Councillors. This item will be added to meeting agendas going forward starting in January. 025-019 Moved by J. Knox, seconded by R. Rekker That the Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington extends our appreciation to the Found Family for their hosting of the first Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Farm Tour and their ongoing commitment to agricultural education; and That we also extend our appreciation to the Clarington Council members and Staff who were able to attend. Carried 6b. Senate Soil Study – Recommendation to Council Committee members discussed the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry’s report titled “Critical Ground” regarding Soil Health across Canada. Committee members noted that the study was well put together. They suggested the study appeared critical of Ontario farmers’ efforts to adopt practices that protect soil health. They noted barriers that might be reducing the uptake of new practices, such as an increase in farmers that are renting rather than owning land. It was suggested initiatives like the Ontario Farmland Trust could combat this growing issue as more land is coming into developer ownership. Committee members commented on the Report’s recommendations and were generally supportive. They suggested the recommendations should acknowledge how the private sector can play a role in activities like promoting carbon credits or monitoring soil quality. Committee members noted that the Federal government has now accepted the recommendations and endorsed the majority of them. Committee members suggested more could be done at the local level to build on the report, such as creating local carbon credits for farmers who adopt practices that result in more carbon sequestration in their soil. 025-020 Moved by C. Rickard, seconded by B. Found That the Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington has received and reviewed the publication of the Senate Report entitled Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada's Economic, Environmental, Human, and Social Health; That the Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington recommends the Municipality of Clarington approve and support the study as put forward, and further Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington October 9, 2025 supports the recent bill S. 230 tabled by Senator Black in 2025 to create a national soil health strategy, with the inclusion of the experience of the private sector in delivering recommendations four and nine in the report; and Further, the Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington recommends the Municipality of Clarington staff review the study and look to leverage it as it relates to meeting the net zero goals as outlined in the Corporate Climate Action Plan. Carried 6c. Weeds on Vacant Lands S. Jennings confirmed that the Municipality has a “Clean and Clear” by-law that requires grass and weeds not exceed 20 centimetres unless the property is zoned environmental protection. By-law complaints can be submitted to the Municipality, and a By-law officer will issue an order to comply. If the owner does not comply, the Municipality may undertake the work at the owner’s expense. 7. Communications 7a. Township of Scugog Public Meeting for OFDU Amendments The Township of Scugog held a public meeting regarding various amendments as recommended by the Enabling Agriculture-Related and On-Farm Diversified Uses in Noth Durham study. 8. Liaison Reports 8a. Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee – T. Barrie None. 8b. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture – M. Morawetz None. 8c. Durham Agricultural Economic Development Update – S. Jibb S. Jennings shared an update provided by S. Jibb. The North Durham Study on OFDUs is being implemented. An Application Toolkit is being developed as a resource for applicants. The Gather at the Farm and Ontario Ag Week campaigns are currently being promoted to highlight local agriculture. 9. New Business 9a. Additional Action Items – C. Rickard C. Rickard suggested three additional action items that the Committee could add to their work plan. These additional items are potential suggestions to the Municipality: 1) Drainage superintendent in Clarington 2) Prioritize agricultural permits 3) Show up at agricultural events The Committee will consider these at a future meeting. 9b. Absent Committee Member Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington October 9, 2025 S. Jennings noted that Committee member, Chris Ennis, has been absent for five consecutive meetings. As per the Committee’s Terms of Reference, if a Committee member is absent for three consecutive meetings, the Committee may request Council remove the Committee member. 025-021 Moved by C. Rickard, seconded by B. Found That the Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington follow our Terms of Reference item 5.8, regarding attendance, to request Council remove our Committee member Chris Ennis. Carried 10. Date of Next Meeting November 13, 2025 11. Adjournment 025-022 Moved by John Cartwright, Seconded by E. Bowman. That the meeting adjourn at 9:58pm. Carried