Agricultural Impact Assessment Guidance Document

Agriculture and food are central to Ontarians’ quality of life and economic prosperity. Feedback during reviews of provincial land use plans highlighted the need to support a vibrant agri-food sector and consistently protect agricultural land throughout Ontario. The Provincial Policy Statement, 2014 and updated land use plans provide policies that address these goals. The 2017 provincial plans (Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan) have policy requirements for agricultural impact assessments for some types of development including settlement area boundary expansions, infrastructure and mineral aggregate operations within prime agricultural areas.

Agricultural impact assessments are a tool to identify and evaluate the potential impacts of non-agricultural development on agriculture, to avoid where possible, minimize and mitigate impacts on agriculture (including agricultural lands and operations and the surrounding agri-food sector).

The purpose of this proposal is to solicit input on the draft Agricultural Impact Assessment Guidance Document. The Guidance, is a technical document intended to assist municipalities, qualified assessment professionals, aggregate producers, development proponents, landowners and other stakeholders in meeting provincial requirements for undertaking an agricultural impact assessment. The Guidance will help standardize agricultural impact assessment information and support best practices to mitigate impacts from development on agriculture.