The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) believes that agricultural land is a finite and shrinking resource, threatened by urban sprawl. The OFA represents 38,000 farm families to ensure that farmland is not only preserved, but that farming is sustainable and profitable for future generations. In doing so, demand for locally sourced food can also be maintained.
From 1996 to 2016, Ontario lost 1.5 million acres of farmland to development, at a daily loss rate of 175 acres per day. According to OMAFRA’s 2016 census data, Ontario loses an average of five farms per week due to urban development. In 2020, the OFA expressed concerns to Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding the recent proliferation of Minister’s Zoning Orders.
When the pandemic hit, the agricultural sector showed resilience despite concerns that the food supply chain would collapse. The agri-food sector proved that Ontario’s agri-food supply chain is strong, with Premier Doug Ford commenting on how instrumental the industry will be for solidifying economic recovery post-pandemic. Farmers are now producing more yield with less inputs, but will always require arable land, and the rate in which Ontario is losing agricultural land is not sustainable.
Since the pandemic struck, consumers now more than ever are looking to source locally grown produce, meats and diary products. However, as the demand to produce food, fibre, and fuel increases, the loss of agricultural land continues, which begs the question, where will Ontario source its food products in the future?