HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-12Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Members Present: Eric Bowman Henry Zekveld Brenda Metcalf
John Cartwright Tom Barrie Don Rickard
Councillor Zwart
Regrets: Ben Eastman, Jordan McKay, Jennifer Knox, Ryan Cullen, Mitch
Morawetz
Staff: Amy Burke, Faye Langmaid - Planning & Development Services
Guests: Tony Ricciardi, Public Works Department; Bonnie Wrightman,
Clarington Board of Trade
Observers: Allison Brown, Planning & Economic Development, Region of
Durham; Karen Yellowlees, Durham Region Federation of
Agriculture
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 of Committee members.
Declarations of Interest
None
Adoption of Agenda
022-012 Moved by Don Rickard, seconded by John Cartwright
That the Agenda for May 12, 2022 be adopted.
Carried
Approval of Minutes
022-013 Moved by Brenda Metcalf, seconded by John Cartwright
That the minutes of the April 14, 2022 meeting be approved.
Carried
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington May 12, 2022
Presentation
Local Agricultural Sector Data: Bonnie Wrightman, Manager of Business
Development with the Clarington Board of Trade, presented the results of an agricultural
sector economic profile recently compiled by the Durham Workforce Authority. The
data set was compiled as a component of a larger initiative to understand aspects and
trends of the local labour market in Durham. Agriculture is one of five sector profile
reports that have been prepared. The full Durham Workforce Authority 2022 Data Walk
is available at https:Hdurhamworkforceauthority.ca/.
Bonnie noted that Durham is a leading agricultural community in southern Ontario, with
24% of all farm operations in the Greater Golden Horseshoe being situated in the
region. She spoke to the diversity of food production, shared sector employment
specifics, and spoke to the challenge faced by the sector to find qualified employees
and how this effects the growth of local operations. The sector profile data will assist
Durham Workforce Authority in identifying opportunities and community collaborations
to overcome the labour market challenges being faced. CBOT will do a deeper dive into
Clarington-specific agricultural sector data following release of the 2021 census
information, later this year. Bonnie highlighted an initial release of overall 2021 Census
of Agriculture information released by Statistics Canada on May 11, 2022.
Committee members extended appreciation to the Clarington Board of Trade for the
promotion and support given to local agriculture, in particular through business support
and buy local promotion through the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022 Capital Projects Update: Tony Ricciardi, Manager of Infrastructure in the Public
Works Department, presented an overview of the rural area capital infrastructure
projects planned for 2022. A range of planned projects, including road resurfacing, road
rehabilitation/ reconstruction, culvert replacement, and roadside protection were
highlighted. In addition, Tony reviewed the 2022 budgeted park upgrades within
multiple rural hamlets, provided a brief update on on -going rural broadband actions, and
reviewed the Municipality's site alteration requirements. Tony encouraged agricultural
operators to reach out to Municipal Staff for assistance and to confirm when site
alteration permits are and are not required and provided tips for reducing the risk of
importing contaminated fill.
In response to questions from the Committee, staff committed to circulating information
on the new provincial requirements for the regulation of excess soil, and the
Municipality's site alteration requirements. In addition, staff will relay questions raised
regarding rural area ditch maintenance to Public Works for follow-up. Committee
members expressed concern about some rural area ditches inadequately draining
snowmelt and rain runoff due to maintenance issues. The result is interference with the
tile drainage systems and delays in planting. Questions were raised regarding budget
allocations and prioritization process for the rural roadside ditch maintenance program,
and whether the Committee could play a role in supporting the identification of high
need areas.
Delegations
None
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington May 12, 2022
Business Arising from Minutes
Re -Opening Advisory Committee Meeting Format: The Committee discussed the
future meeting format options provided by Staff at the April 14, 2022 meeting. It was
determined that the June Committee meeting would return to in person. No decision
was made with respect to future meetings.
Don Rickard and Tom Barrie left the meeting and the remainder of the meeting
proceeded without quorum.
Envision Durham Alternative Land Needs Scenarios — Municipal Comments and
Envision Durham Staff Recommendation: In advance of the meeting, staff circulated
Municipal comments on the proposed Alternative Land Needs Scenarios (Report PDS-
021-22) and the Envision Durham Staff Recommendation Report (#P2022-P-11)
considered by Regional Planning and Economic Development Committee on May 3,
2022. Staff provided an update on the decision of Regional Committee and the motion
carried by DAAC at their May 10 meeting urging Regional Council to support
Community Land Needs Scenario 5, requiring no expansion of urban boundaries. Staff
advised the Committee that the recommendation of the Regional Planning & Economic
Development Committee will be considered by Regional Council on May 25, 2022.
Committee members restated previous concerns about lack of protection for agricultural
lands and the small proportion of agricultural voices relative to the urban population in
light of growth. Staff advised the Committee that in the absence of the population and
employment targets, intensification targets and designated greenfield area targets
allocated to each municipality, it is difficult to assess the potential implications of the
Land Needs Scenarios on Clarington, and that Planning Staff will report back to the
Committee on potential local impacts at a future date, once the municipal allocations
have been released by the Region.
2022 Trees for Rural Roads Program: Staff shared the results of the 2022 Trees for
Rural Roads Program with Committee members, which included the handout of 558
native trees to 35 rural landowners for planting along rural roads in Clarington.
Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals
None
Liaison Reports
Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee: The 2022 Annual Farm Tour is scheduled
for September 15, 2022 at Sargent Family Dairy in Enniskillen. Tom had informed the
committee of the position taken by DAAC on the Envision Durham Alternative Land
Needs Scenarios. The next DAAC meeting is scheduled for June 14, 2022.
Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: DRFA supports the Durham Agricultural
Advisory Committee's resolution regarding the Envision Durham Alternative Land
Needs Scenarios and is considering response options. Rural broadband and
infrastructure including social infrastructure (e.g. schools and healthcare) are key topics
of interest being discussion with local Provincial election candidates.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington May 12, 2022
Durham Farm Connections: The 2022 Celebrate Agriculture Gala will take place on
October 27, 2022 at the Port Perry Community Centre. DFC is looking for more rural
participants for the Barn Quilt Trail and is open to exploring other rural options, such as
community centres. The mobile exhibit is back on the road and attending numerous
community events across Durham Region through the summer.
Clarington Board of Trade: A transition back to in person events is underway;
roundtables and focus groups to be announced in the near future. The Food at your
Fingertips website is found at www.cbot.ca/eat, and showcases local restaurants, farm
gate sales and businesses selling locally produced food. If you have comments or if
information is missing, please let CBOT know (info(@cbot.ca). CBOT is launching the
6t' Annual Clarington Food Week August 14-21 st, promoting and encouraging the
public to celebrate local food and producers.
On -Farm Diversified Uses (OFDUs) Sub -Committee: No updates.
New Business
On -Farm Special Events Guidelines: A new information sheet providing guidelines
on the requirements for On -Farm Special Events has been posted on the Development
Guidelines webpage of the Municipal website (Resources section). It outlines the land
use approvals and licencing processes, providing links to resources and application
forms. Questions or comments on the information sheet can be sent to Amy Burke
(aburke clarington.net).
Tourism Update 2021: In advance of the meeting, staff circulated a copy of the 2021
Tourism Update (Report CSD-077-22) from the Community Services Department. The
report highlights tourism initiatives for the past year, including agricultural and `buy local'
events, and describes efforts to development measurement and metrics to assess the
impact of local tourism campaigns. On behalf of the Community Services Department,
the agricultural sector was encouraged to reach out to Clarington Tourism with
questions and ideas relating to supporting local agri-tourism. The Committee indicated
an interest to invite Clarington Tourism to present to the Committee in the fall on 2022
programming and future agricultural related initiatives.
John Cartwright moved to adjourn.
Next Meeting
Thursday, June 9, 2022 @ 7:30 pm (Municipal Administrative Centre, 40 Temperance
Street, Bowmanville — meeting room to be determined)
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington May 12, 2022