Sitting on the “Rail”

Author: Paul Bootsma - Policy Advisor for CFFO

“For some of our members this is an issue that will ‘keep them awake at night’, since it could directly impact on any plans they may have.”

Sitting on the “Rail” - Alto High Speed Train

CFFO is optimistic about the agri-food industry in Ontario and understands that what is good for the Ontario economy directly benefits the industry. Last year, in a CFFO report on farmland protection, a conclusion was made that development of more processing facilities will indirectly keep farmland in agriculture. The more demand for the raw products, the more that land will be used to produce those raw products. This applies to other economic developments as well, growing the economy helps grow the agri-food industry.

With this in mind, CFFO has addressed the issue of the proposed highspeed train from Toronto to Quebec City, traveling through rural Ontario. It’s easy to express concern since undoubtedly this will end up on farmland somewhere along the corridor. And it’s difficult not to let our emotions take over our considerations.

Last summer CFFO invited representatives from Alto to our office in Ingersoll to learn of the plan for a highspeed train in Southern Ontario and Eastern Quebec. This was a positive session where good information was exchanged, they obviously showed the benefits of such a project, and we expressed our concern for members who would be impacted should this become a reality.

Till we learn how compensation will be given for expropriated land and how the interrupted roads will be rerouted and communities are dealt with for lost access, CFFO cannot give full support to this project. But we also can see the value for Ontario should this project go ahead and so we “sit on the rail” with this issue. Perhaps there are still some alternate routes to consider that would stay away from farmland.

The importance of being able to participate in planning and development keeps us from opposing this, being at the table sometimes is more important than making a hurried judgement and not having the possibility of influence. So, the hope is that Alto representatives will continue to have dialogue with us and we will be able to have some influence in some of the decision making that will have to occur once the corridor is determined.

For some of our members this is an issue that will ‘keep them awake at night’, since it could directly impact on any plans they may have. Whether they can continue where they are or if adding family to the business is still preferable. This is why CFFO wants to remain at the discussion table to continue to express our concerns on behalf of our members.

When studying Canada’s history, agriculture has been the consistent and dependable sector of the economy and will continue to be that reliable industry to produce our food but also create jobs and support many industries and businesses. When our economy thrives so will the agri-food industry. New technologies benefit both. We are talking about a fast train, but it will be slow in arriving.

Long-Term Thinking for Today’s Issues

Paul Bootsma

Policy Advisor for CFFO

The CFFO Commentary represents the opinions of the writer and does not necessarily represent CFFO policy.