The Ontario Fruit and…

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) has been working hard to address barriers to building and maintaining on-farm worker housing in recent years. These efforts have been in response to regulatory hurdles that growers have been facing as they invest in the next generation of worker housing to address greater labour needs, and ensure health, safety and comfort are at the forefront for these workers while they are in Canada.

OFVGA appreciates the efforts that have been taken by the Ontario government to work with the sector to address the challenges growers are facing. The following regulatory proposals put forward, if finalized appropriately, will address red-tape that growers currently face when it comes to seeking approvals for septic capacity, while continuing to protect the environment.

The proposal to amend the OWRA to allow greater septic capacity on farm properties is pivotal to facilitating OFVGA’s goal to reduce regulatory burden for farms when constructing on-farm worker housing. OFVGA is in full support of making this legislative change. The full scope on the effectiveness of this proposal will be dependent on the final details of the associated building code policy. Our specific comments on ERO #025-899 will be submitted prior to that consultation deadline.