Via Electronic Mail:
Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, doug.fordco@pc.ola.org
Hon. Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, sylvia.jones@pc.ola.org
Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance, peter.bethlenfalvy@pc.ola.org
Hon. Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, trevor.jones@pc.ola.org
Hon. Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources, mike.harris@pc.ola.org
Hon. Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness & Response, jill.dunlop@pc.ola.org
Hon. Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, rob.flack@pc.ola.org
Hon. Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job creation and Trade, vic.fedeli@pc.ola.org
Hon. Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, todd.mccarthy@pc.ola.org
Hon. Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation, greg.rickford@pc.ola.org
Hon. Lisa M. Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs, lisa.thompson@pc.ola.org
Re: Strong Support for Bill 21 – The Protect Our Food Act, 2025
Please accept this submission in response to the proposed Bill 21- The Protect Our Food Act on behalf of Ontario Dietitians in Public Health (ODPH). ODPH is the official voice of Registered Dietitians working in Ontario’s public health system. ODPH provides leadership in public health nutrition by promoting and supporting member collaboration to improve the health of Ontario residents through the implementation of the Ontario Public Health Standards.
ODPH would like to express strong support for Bill 21: The Protect Our Food Act, which represents a critical advancement in Ontario’s commitment to food security, climate change adaptation, and responsible land stewardship. Evidence supports provincial land-use planning policy in protecting agricultural lands to ensure long-term land protection and a sustainable food system (1). Implementing legal frameworks that limit the conversion of agricultural land to non-farm uses is essential to preserving and strengthening domestic food systems.
The proposed legislation is both timely and necessary. As highlighted in the Ontario Provincial Climate Change Impact Assessment Adaptation Best Practices Report, targeted adaptation actions must include protecting farmland and promoting sustainable growth to safeguard the province’s food system. Bill 21 directly aligns with these priorities by requiring Agricultural Impact Assessments for land use changes and establishing the Foodbelt Protection Plan Advisory Committee, which will guide the preservation of a continuous, viable agricultural land base. ODPH recommends that the food and agricultural organizations membership of the advisory committee include Indigenous representation and young or new farmers.
Ontario’s prime agricultural lands (Class 1, 2, and 3 soils)—which make up only 5.4% of Canada’s land base, predominantly located in our province—are essential, non-renewable resources. Once developed, these lands are effectively lost forever. Protecting them is critical not only for food production but also for the long-term health of our economy, communities, and ecosystems. Evidence demonstrates there is sufficient land designated for urban growth in southern Ontario to meet current housing needs and for the next 30 years (2). Inflation, supply-chain disruption, and global trade instability shines a light on the urgent need to protect Ontario’s farmland to defend the food and farming economy, food sovereignty, and the ability to feed Ontarians and Canadians.
Furthermore, managing and planning for sustainable land use is vital to promoting access to a healthier food system and achieving community food security, both of which support health. Land use decisions deeply influence a community’s ability to access nutritious, affordable, and locally grown food. Bill 21 helps ensure that land use planning supports do not undermine population health, local economies, and environmental integrity.
This legislation also supports the Grow Ontario: A provincial agri-food strategy’s goal to increase the production of food grown and prepared in Ontario by 30%. This goal can only be achieved if we protect and preserve our remaining viable farmland. Economic development and food security are intrinsically linked, and farmland preservation is the foundation for both. Ontario’s agriculture sector employs one in nine Ontarians and contributes $50 billion to the province’s economy (3).
Finally, as Ontario prepares for a projected population increase to 22 million by 2051, bold and coordinated land use planning is essential. Bill 21 offers a practical framework to balance growth with sustainability, ensuring that future generations have access to the land and resources they need for food, health, and well-being.
For these reasons, ODPH strongly urges the Legislative Assembly to pass Bill 21. This legislation represents a forward-thinking, cross-sectoral approach to food security and land use that Ontario urgently needs.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to a sustainable food future.
Sincerely,
Andrea Licursi, RD
Chair, ODPH
Laura Needham, RD
Co-chair ODPH Food Systems Workgroup
cc.
Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), Drew Spoelstra, OFA President, drew.spoelstra@ofa.on.ca
National Farmers Union of Ontario (NFU), Max Hansgen, NFU-O President, president@nfuontario.ca
Ontario Farmland Trust, Martin Straathof, Executive Director, info@ontariofarmlandtrust.ca
Greenbelt Foundation, Namgyal Dolker, Office of the CEO, ndolker@greenbelt.ca
Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, babrady-co@ola.org
Leader of the Ontario Green Party, Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner, mschreiner-co@ola.org
Marit Styles, Leader of the Official Opposition, mstiles-qp@ndp.on.ca
John Fraser, Leader Third Party, jfraser.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
References:
1. Ontario Dietitians in Public Health. Rapid Review: Municipal Land Use Planning Policies that Promote Equitable and Sustainable Food Systems. Ontario: Ontario Dietitians in Public Health. 2024.
2. The Alliance for a Liveable Ontario. Province poised to deliver fatal blow to agriculture and the environment while worsening the housing crisis. 2023.
3. Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Agriculture Matters: A guide for municipal councillors and staff. 2024
