2 MPPs have proposed an Ontario foodbelt. Could it help tariff-proof the ag sector?

It’s time to protect that. Once you destroy it, it’s gone,” Shapero said.

The idea of creating a “foodbelt” in Ontario to protect farmland and help tariff-proof the agricultural sector in the province is gaining traction. Two MPPs, Mike Schreiner of Guelph and Bobbi Ann Brady of Haldimand-Norfolk, have put forward the idea with their bill, Protect Our Food Act, which passed first reading on Tuesday.

This concept is not new. Back in 2009, Erin Shapero and Valerie Burke, former city councillors in Markham, proposed a similar idea to protect farmland from developers. Their motion for a Markham foodbelt was unfortunately defeated at the time, leading to the development of farmland that could have been preserved for agriculture.

Fast forward to 2025, and Schreiner and Brady are reviving this idea of a foodbelt, which aims to protect farmland and ensure food security for the future. Ontario is losing 319 acres of farmland a day, according to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, making the need for protection even more urgent.

The proposed bill would create a task force led by farmers, agricultural experts, and land planners to determine which lands need to be protected by a foodbelt. Brady, whose riding is largely agricultural, emphasized the importance of protecting farmland, especially in the face of threats to the agricultural sector.

Michael Von Massow, a professor of food economics at the University of Guelph, supports the concept of land preservation but emphasizes the need for clear criteria on which lands should be prioritized for protection. While the idea of a foodbelt may not directly tariff-proof the agricultural sector, it can help safeguard farmland and support farmers in Ontario.

Agricultural groups, including the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the National Farmers Union for Ontario, have expressed their support for the bill. They believe that preserving farmland is crucial for the future of agriculture in the province.

While private members’ bills from opposition parties don’t always succeed in Queen’s Park, Shapero and Burke hope that the provincial government will reconsider the proposal. They stress the importance of protecting Ontario’s Class A farmland, some of the best in the world, for future generations.

In a time of uncertainty and global challenges, securing food sources and supporting local farmers is more important than ever. The creation of a foodbelt in Ontario could be a vital step towards ensuring food security and protecting the agricultural sector in the province.