The Kent Federation of Agriculture (KFA) is happy with its provincial representation, but has concerns about a recent political decision over the proposed landfill north of Dresden.
Jim Brackett, head of the KFA, said local farmers have local representation in the ministry most near and dear to them: the ministry of agriculture.
Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent–Leamington was named to the post last month.
“We’re very happy to have the agriculture minister in Chatham-Kent for the first time ever,” Brackett said. “We haven’t had a sit down with him yet, but we just got a message talking about arranging one.”
He added Jones has some experience in the greenhouse industry and is no stranger to farmers’ needs.
“He’s lived in the area. He’s got a background in the greenhouse business. He’s certainly been in the business for a long time,” Brackett said. “It should be a bonus for us. But we’ll be better able to tell you that in three or four years.”
Meanwhile to the north of Chatham-Kent, MPP Steve Pinsonneault (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex), a former municipal councillor, has “been a friend of the farmers,” Brackett said.
One of Pinsonneault’s tasks at Queen’s Park is to serve as parliamentary assistant to the minister of rural affairs.
“I think this will only help us get protection of land and other issues,” Brackett said of the local representation in Toronto in rural affairs and agriculture.
However, the issue with the proposed landfill just north of Dresden is concerning, he added.
“I’m in the process of writing him (Jones) and Steve Pinsonneault to do with the Dresden dump,” Brackett
He’s is also adding a comment to the provincial environmental registry on the matter. Comments are being accepted until May 17.
Brackett said the news the province plans on removing the need for a full environmental assessment on the property caught he and the KFA off guard.
“That was shocking. I’m disappointed in the government for using tariffs to do that,” he said, referring to Premier Doug Ford’s comment to that effect. “I think this has more to do with the need.”
Brackett said he’s unsure if having a landfill there would impact the crops in the area, but that’s not the main issue.
“It is too close to the town,” he said.
It’s another example of the potential loss of fertile land to one form of development or another. A 2021 census indicated Ontario loses 319 acres of land a day to development. Brackett thinks the number is higher today.
“For us, the biggest concern is the land. Try and find land that is not some of the best fertile land in Ontario,” he said. “Let’s investigate areas that are not as productive for agriculture.”
Brackett said the Ridge Landfill near Blenheim is on “heavy clay land” and that the site near Dresden is on property that is “pretty good land there. You haven’t gone into the Lambton clays there.”
