Forest Sector Strategy Draft…

Forest Sector Strategy Draft (ERO#019-0880) #ProtectPrimeFarmland #ProtectOurWater #ProtectOurGreenbelt #FoodAndWaterFirst

By North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT)

February 3, 2020

We, the people behind Food & Water First, learned firsthand the need to protect farmland and source water from short-term thinking.

The Food & Water First campaign was born of the Stop the Mega Quarry movement near Shelburne. Nine (9) years ago a proposal was made to dig a 2,400-acre quarry 200 feet deep on prime vegetable land. Farmers, First Nations, locals, weekenders, Chefs, artists, musicians, and anyone who could see the importance of Ontario’s food and water security came together to protect the land. In October 2011, “Foodstock” attracted 28,000 people to Melancthon Township, just north of Shelburne. In 2012, 40,000 people joined us in downtown Toronto for “Soupstock”. The furor was so great that the mega quarry proposal was withdrawn in November 2012.

Today NDACT’s mandate through the Food & Water First campaign is to protect our food land and clean water sources for future generations by promoting good legislation and land-use planning.

Basic economics indicates that a significant increase in the supply of logged wood would reduce the market value, may lead to a glut in the market, and could put people out of work as is currently happening in the oil and gas industry.

So NDACT calls upon the Government of Ontario to:

1. Acknowledge that the current Forest Sector Strategy Draft is unbalanced and benefiting the forest products industry while excluding most other Ontarians.

2. Propose a forward-thinking inclusive forest sector strategy that:
a. Recognizes forests are the lungs of our planet and essential for human life.
b. Appreciates that forests filter water systems at little cost.
c. Cherishes forests as habitat for endangered species and other wildlife.
d. Understands that forests are necessary for temperature, flood and erosion control.
e. Values forests as destinations for recreation and essential to the tourism industry.
f. Realizes forests as assets to be treasured for future generations.
g. Provides comprehensive on-going protection of old growth forest areas for future generations.
h. Honours promises and commitments made to indigenous people and communities, including but not limited to Grassy Narrows and Benny Forest.

3. Commit to the protection of endangered species.

4. Commit to the Trillion Tree Campaign supported and promoted by the United Nations.

5. Commit to the sustainable future of Ontario, Canada and this planet.

The bottom line is that trees improve our quality of life and save money.

“If trees emitted WiFi signals, we’d plant more of them. Too bad they only produce the air we breathe.”

Today’s decisions are our legacy for future generations.

About NDACT

North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT) is a grassroots group formed in 2009 by local farmers and residents to defend Melancthon’s prime farmland at the headwaters of five (5) rivers from a proposed mega-quarry. After a successful campaign, NDACT continues to fight for farmland and source water by developing awareness, encouraging people power, and by promoting better legislation for today and for the future. Food & Water First is a campaign of NDACT.

Contact

North Dufferin Agricultural and
Community Taskforce (NDACT)
Box 875
Shelburne, ON
L9V 3M1
info@ndact.com