Protecting Farmland in Kitchener-Conestoga

Our farmland is too important to lose. Together, we can protect it.

Farmland is disappearing at an alarming rate.

Prime farmland is one of Canada's most precious resources, helping to feed our families, and supporting our communities and our environment. But it is disappearing at an alarming rate.

Ontario loses 319 acres of farmland on average every day. If that continues, 25 per cent of Ontario’s existing farmland will be gone in the next 25 years.

Hearing from Farmers and our Community

We all know economic development is important to our region. No one is against growth, especially when it creates good jobs for people in our communities. But that growth must be done responsibly and transparently, with the community involved every step of the way.

But our community is saying loud and clear that is not happening.

I have been asked many times if the federal government is involved. I’ll be clear: the federal government is not involved and has no role in this land assembly. This land assembly and potential expropriation fall under provincial jurisdiction, meaning it’s the province and local elected officials at the regional level, not the federal government, that are making these decisions.

I’m getting information in the same way as you are. I’ve not been briefed by anyone from any level of government about this process. I have not signed, nor been asked to sign, any non-disclosure agreement. What I know is coming from attending local meetings and events held by citizens, speaking to and hearing from people in our community, and following local journalists and news stories.

I have attended many citizen-led community meetings, to listen, learn and to speak at. It’s given me the chance to have important conversations with farmers and advocates throughout Wilmot and our region.

Hearing their thoughts and concerns has motivated me to take action at the federal level.

Taking Action at a Federal Level

By working together, across party lines, across different levels of government, I will continue to advocate for responsible development that does not come at the cost of our prized farmland.

  • As a member of the agriculture committee in Ottawa, I put forward a motion and I am advocating to catalogue, study, and look at ways to prevent farmland loss in Canada. I will continue to work across party lines on behalf of farmers.

  • Senator Rob Black and I are working together between the House of Commons and Senate to jointly write legislation that will address farmland protection and preservation.

  • I have attended many citizen-led community meetings, to listen, learn and to speak at.  It’s given me the chance to have important conversations with farmers and advocates throughout Wilmot and our region. I continue to bring their voices and concerns to Ottawa.

Share Your Thoughts

Have a question or concern? Fill out the form below and my team will help as best as we can.