Minutes

Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

4:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Electronic Meeting

Members:

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

Staff:

• C. Banfield,
• J. Best,
• T. Corkovic,
• M. Hassanali,
• J. Magill,
• C. Narula,
• and J. Wheatle

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A.

Call to Order

The York Region Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee meeting was called to order at 4:04 p.m. with Councillor Eek as Chair.

B.

Disclosures of Interest

None

C.

Presentations

C.1

Regional Official Plan Natural Systems Planning - Overview and Update

The Committee received the presentation by Jelena Baker, Senior Planner and Chhavi Narula, Planner regarding Regional Official Plan Natural Systems Planning - Overview and Update.

C.2

Agriculture and Agri-Food Strategy - Staff Update

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

D.

Deputations

D.1

Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance

The Committee received the deputation by Janet Horner on behalf of the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance.

D.2

LSRCA Restoration and TRCA Rural Clean Water Programs

The Committee received the joint deputation by Lori McLean on behalf of Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and Nadine Abrams on behalf of Toronto Region Conservation Authority.

E.

Communications

None

F.

Other Business

F.1

Member Roundtable Updates

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

F.2

Dialogue on Climate Change Action Plan

Chair Eek encouraged members to think about the role agriculture and agri-food businesses have in fighting climate change. It was noted that members can review the Region's draft climate change action plan and submit comments to staff.

G.

Adjournment

The York Region Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.