By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
Just a while ago, I received a call from a developer asking me why I am opposed to development. I was clear to this developer that I am not opposed to development, but I am vehemently opposed to irresponsible development. Sadly, I see a great deal of irresponsible development as I travel our province.
Let me also be clear that much of the irresponsible development I speak of is occurring on prime agricultural land in Ontario—land that can be used to grow food. I maintain that if a federal government fixated on bringing more and more people to Canada, with most of them landing in Ontario, we’d best be able to feed them.
When writing this column, I have just finished up two phone calls. The first was from a gentleman who owns 25 acres of unproductive land. He wants to establish two building lots on that property but is told it is out of the question. The second call was from an upstanding, long-time farmer, who is not shy about telling me that speculators often come up the driveway, have a brief conversation, and then say, “I will email you an offer.”
Despite knowing the farm is on the edge of town and could turn a fast buck, this farmer has something in mind more precious – her grandkids, whom I can hear in the background.
The farmer tells me we should all be concerned about what we leave for future generations. Amen. This farmer also tells the speculator that unless they can guarantee they will replace the acreage they want to pave over with productive land, there will never be a deal.
Down the road in Wilmot Township, the region is responding to a provincial call to assemble just under 800 acres of shovel-ready land for industry. This land includes six farms and six residential properties, and those who own these properties have two options: 1) sell or 2) have the land expropriated. This move follows on the heels of the 400 acres expropriated in Central Elgin for an electric vehicle battery plant.
There is nothing more precious than farmland because it is a finite resource. I don’t believe taxpayers outside the farm country realize how much of it our province and country are losing to urban sprawl as developers are intent on building low-density housing projects for people wishing to escape expensive, highly taxed, and crime-laden cities.
I’ve heard a local councillor publicly say that building on the outskirts of town, on farmland, is easier for developers and others because the construction phases do not disrupt a downtown or an urban area. That same councillor then said that the developer pays for all the infrastructure—I laughed out loud and then scoffed.
Developers want easily accessible land, people arriving in the area want a spacious home they can afford, some municipalities believe more people are the path to economic prosperity, and who can begrudge the farmer who is offered enough money to take care of future generations of his/her family?
We can’t stop development—it’s inevitable—but we must push back and choose leaders in our communities who can see beyond tomorrow. Otherwise, our kids and grandkids will be the biggest losers.
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk