A rare climbdown by Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives — on an ill-fated housing plan for prime agricultural land — left Housing Minister Steve Clark bruised and critics saying a government with MPPs across rural Ontario is “clueless” on a key farm issue.
Farm groups had warned it would fragment farmland, make it harder for farmers to do their jobs, limit the growth of farms, drive up the price of farmland, lead to conflict between farmers and neighbours — particularly over odours and noise — and permanently take valuable land out of food production.
Ford government cancels ‘clueless’ plan to allow housing on farmland after backlash (Toronto Star, Wednesday, May 31, 2023)
Photo credit: Paddy Duncan, ©2023
