Minutes

Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

4:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

Electronic Meeting

Members:

• J. Bartley,
• T. Chinyani,
• S. Dhir,
• A. Eek,
• K. Empringham,
• J. Pegg,
• and B. Wills

Staff:

• C. Banfield,
• T. Corkovic,
• C. Goodeve,
• M. Hassanali,
• D. MacAskill,
• J. Magill,
• S. Malcic,
• C. Narula,
• L. Sauve,
• J. Wheatle,
• and K. Whitney

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A.

Call to Order

The York Region Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. with Councillor Eek as Chair.

B.

Disclosures of Interest

None

C.

Presentations

C.1

York Region Proposed 2051 Forecast and Land Needs Assessment - Overview

The Committee received the presentation by Lauren Sauve, Senior Planner, Planning and Economic Development regarding York Region Proposed 2051 Forecast and Land Needs Assessment - Overview.

C.2

Proposed Regional Official Plan Amendment No. 7 (ROPA 7)

The Committee received the presentation by Augustine Ko, Senior Planner, Planning and Economic Development regarding Proposed Regional Official Plan Amendment No. 7 (ROPA 7).

The Committee requested Planning staff consult with interested members of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee regarding the potential impacts of Regional Official Plan Amendment No. 7 on the agricultural system ahead of reporting back to Council in September 2021.

The Committee requested Planning staff consult with the Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee regarding permitted agricultural uses proposed as part of the Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR).

C.3

Agriculture and Agri-Food Strategy - Staff Update

The Committee received the presentation by Meena Hassanali, Rural and Agri-Food Business Development Specialist, Chhavi Narula, Planner and Tony Corkovic, Marketing and Communications Specialist regarding Agriculture and Agri-Food Strategy - Staff Update.

D.

Deputations

D.1

Update on Kingbridge Innovation Hub

The Committee received the deputation by Karen Dubeau, Executive Director, Kingbridge Centre.

E.

Communications

None

F.

Other Business

F.1

Input on Draft York Region Climate Change Action Plan (by September 2021)

Members were reminded to consider the role agriculture and agri-food businesses have in fighting climate change and encouraged to submit comments to staff by September 2021.

F.2

Roundtable Updates

Members had the opportunity to share ongoing initiatives and updates related to the Agriculture and Agri-Food industry.

G.

Adjournment

The York Region Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m.