Any planning policy changes…

Any planning policy changes that will reduce development density, and increase the rate of agricultural land consumption from the already current high rate ( estimate 319 acres/ day ) should be removed from current proposals. I'm submitting further comments below for additional context.

Agriculture is a diversified and complex industry. 50 years of planning policy framework in Ontario have helped to plan the future of agriculture. This framework has recognized that farming is an industry, and mixed uses including residential, shouldn't be interspersed within an agricultural zoning. This concept is rigidly applied to any industrial zone in urban areas with the good reason of minimizing what would be predictable and ongoing conflicts.

I currently have a cash crop farming operation and I'm in support of the messaging brought forward by all three general farm organizes regarding these proposals. Additionally, I've talked with livestock farming colleagues. They believe it will be much more difficult to invest in and expand their businesses, and even become more difficult to operate what they have now.

Specific points in response to proposals.

provincially mandated allowance for farm severances and lot creation. This piece is the first and foremost proposal to remove from any document.

Boundary adjustments. Conducting a comprehensive review of land needs and servicing requirements has high value and is something to retain. Being done with both more transparency and streamlined process going forward.

We should establishing minimum density targets for both residents / Ha and jobs / Ha. Doing this will be an exceptional addition to any future visioning.

I will make the bottom line of my submission in this way. The policies of the 2020 PPS relating to agriculture should be maintained at a minimum. The 2020 PPS in truth does not go far enough in protecting agricultural land.

The current Provincial Planning Statement proposal isn't close to being in a form to carry forward.