QUESTION PERIOD — Agriculture and Agri-Food
Use of Agricultural Lands
April 10, 2024
Senator Gold, as you know, I have an inquiry in the chamber regarding land use planning as it relates to food security. With the Prime Minister’s announcement on April 2 — regarding changes to cutting red tape to fast-track home construction and build more infrastructure — I continue to worry about farmland. While I’m also concerned about Canada’s housing crisis and the future of home ownership for our younger generations, the rezoning and sale of our prime agricultural land threatens to not only jeopardize the livelihood of its owners — our farmers, who are the very backbone of our country — but also simultaneously threaten food security in the community and across Canada.
Considering the importance of preserving valuable agricultural land for food security and environmental sustainability, how does the government intend to collaborate with provincial and municipal authorities to ensure that land use decisions align with long-term strategies for maintaining prime farmland and supporting the growth of the agricultural sector?
Thank you for your question. It’s a good question.
Indeed, as we know, the federal government is working with a number of municipalities to accelerate the building of housing for those who are seeking it, and it is taking a leadership role in that regard. It is also prepared to work with and provide support to the provinces that are willing to work with the federal government in this regard — recognizing that land use planning is a provincial responsibility.
I’m not aware of any specific provisions in any of these discussions that relate to your question. However, it is worth noting the focus — at least to date — with regard to municipalities: Within municipalities, it’s the building of fourplexes and things like that, which, to my relatively uneducated — but not completely uneducated — mind, probably has less of an impact on agricultural land than other developments that could be forthcoming.
Thank you, Senator Gold.
Given the interconnected nature of food security, land preservation and sustainable agricultural practices, could you provide insights into any ongoing initiatives or plans by your government to promote responsible land use, protect our prime agricultural lands and enhance collaboration between all levels of government and stakeholders in addressing these challenges in this country?
Thank you. There are a number of federal-provincial cost-sharing programs to address these issues. I can’t list all of them. Let me simply highlight the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, or Sustainable CAP. It’s a $3.5-billion, five-year agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to do a number of things to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector. This will support agricultural producers and fund the maintenance and provision of healthy soils, water resources and all that we need for a healthy environment.
