ARA report: Keeping watch
It’s back to Queen’s Park for Ontario’s MPPs today and, over the coming weeks, we’ll be paying close attention to the fate of the Aggregate Resources Act. Over the summer, the Standing Committee on General Government began writing its report on possible revisions to the outdated ARA based on the public hearings that were held in the spring of 2012. Those hearings were prompted by the controversy over the Highland mega quarry. The Committee was told by many presenters that prime farmland and source water regions must be protected from aggregate operations. It’s not clear when the ARA report will be finished and made public. We’ll keep you updated.
Oak Ridges Moraine hearings
Our friends at Save the Oak Ridges Moraine (STORM) are putting the final touches on their presentations for tomorrow’s Environmental Review Tribunal. They’re trying to stop a solar farm from being erected on 142-acres of prime farmland in Scugog, north of Oshawa. STORM board member, Cindy Sutch, is among those appearing before the Tribunal. The hearing takes place in the Council Chambers of the Township of Scugog at 10am. The address is 181 Perry Street, Port Perry. Cindy sent along this Toronto Star story which details the many concerns about the project. Good luck, Cindy!
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/08/07/solar_farm_fight_could_set_precedent_on_moraine.html
Drought: Canada’s gains?
Thanks to Natalia Shields for spotting this article in the weekend Globe & Mail’s Report on Business about climate change, drought and how Canadian food production could benefit the world.
“Drought is emerging as one of the biggest natural hazards. It has the potential to reshape human landscapes and entire economies, mostly for the worse, but sometimes for the better. Canada is less prone to drought than the US; it could emerge as the world’s emergency breadbasket if the warming trend extends the growing season and the amount of productive agricultural land.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/the-biggest-threat-to-the-global-economy-the-weather/article14173663/
The report fails to mention that Ontario’s agri-food sector already exports about $11-billion worth of food annually and contributes $34-billion a year to the province’s economy. We have a thriving industry; it’s another reason why Ontario’s rare farmland and water should be protected!
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