Dear Minister Hardeman,
The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) is an Accredited Farm Organization representing the interests of over 4,000 farm families in Ontario who are called to the vocation of farming. CFFO policy promotes economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable farming, advocating that farmers receive fair return for their production and stewardship efforts.
We are writing in support of the Howick Township Council’s resolution no. 288/20, requesting that the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs seek to amend the Tile Drainage Installation Act and/or the regulations under the Act in order that tile drainage contractors be required to file all farm tile drainage installation plans with the municipality where new drains have been installed. This request was submitted to your office on December 3, 2020.
The requirement that installation plans be logged with municipalities already exists for tile that is installed under the Tile Drain Loan Program, but a gap exists where projects do not rely on the loan program.
Ensuring that all tile drainage project plans are logged with municipalities would be beneficial in
determining land severances, as well as drainage systems oversight. It will also ensure that this important information can be made available to farmers purchasing new farmland. In short, a little red tape here could save a lot of red tape elsewhere.
We appreciate your consideration of this request, and look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Ed Scharringa, President
Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario
cc: Lisa Thompson, MPP Huron Bruce, [email protected]
Randy Pettapiece, MPP Perth Wellington, [email protected] Rural Ontario Municipal Association, [email protected]
Peggy Brekveld, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, [email protected] The Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario (LICO), [email protected]
The Drainage Superintendents Association of Ontario (DSAO), [email protected]
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January 25, 2021
The Honourable Ernie Hardeman VIA E-MAIL
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs 11th Floor, 77 Grenville St.
Toronto, ON M5S 1B3 Dear Mr. Hardeman:
Re: Resolution – Amending the Tile Drainage Installation Act
Please be advised that, at its meeting of December 14, 2020, the Council of The Corporation of the City of Port Colborne resolved as follows:
That the resolution received from the Township of Howick Re: Amending the Tile Drainage Installation Act, be supported.
A copy of the above noted resolution is enclosed for your reference. Your favourable consideration of this request is respectfully requested.
Sincerely,
Amber LaPointe City Clerk
Encl.
ec: Jeff Burch, MPP Niagara Centre Wayne Gates, MPP Niagara Falls Jennifer Stevens, MPP St. Catharines Sam Oosterhoff, MPP Niagara West Rural Ontario Municipal Association Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario
Drainage Superintendents of Ontario Association Ontario Municipalities
Municipal Offices: 66 Charlotte Street
Port Colborne, Ontario L3K 3C8 · www.portcolborne.ca
T 905.835.2900 ext 106 F 905.834.5746
E [email protected] Corporate Services Department
Clerk’s Division
The Corporation of
THE TOWNSHIP OF MELANCTHON
157101 Highway 10, Melancthon, Ontario, L9V 2E6
Telephone - (519) 925-5525 Website: www.melancthontownship.ca
Fax No. - (519) 925-1110 Email:[email protected]
January 18, 2021
At the meeting of Council held on January 14, 2021, the following motion was introduced and passed:
Moved by Besley, Seconded by Hannon
Be it resolved that: “the Council of the Township of Melancthon supports Resolution 288/20 from the Township of Howick, in its entirety, requesting the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, amend the Agricultural Tile Drainage Installation Act, and or the regulations under the Act, that would require tile drainage contractors to file farm tile drainage installation plans with the local municipality. Further, a copy of this motion be forwarded to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Sylvia Jones, Dufferin-Caledon MPP, Rural Ontario Municipal Association, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Dufferin Federation of Agriculture, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario, Drainage Superintendents of Ontario and Tom Pridham, P.Eng., Melancthon Township Drainage Engineer.” Carried.
Yours truly,
Denise B. Holmes, AMCT CAO/Clerk
c. Honourable Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Sylvia Jones, MPP Dufferin-Caledon
ROMA OFA DFA
Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario
Drainage Superintendents Association of Ontario
Tom Pridham, P.Eng., Drainage Superintendent, RJ Burnside and Associates
234-2021-344
January 26, 2021
Dear Head of Council:
Our government is committed to improving local service delivery and better respecting taxpayers’ dollars. That is why we launched the Municipal Modernization Program in 2019. Through this program, the Ontario government is providing funding to help small and rural municipalities modernize service delivery and identify new ways to be more efficient and effective.
Today at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference, I announced the launch of the second intake under the Municipal Modernization Program. Modern, efficient municipal services that are financially sustainable are more important than ever in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even as municipalities continue to face challenges, there are also opportunities to transform services and stimulate new ways of doing business.
The second intake will allow municipalities to benefit from provincial funding to conduct third party reviews as well as to implement projects to increase efficiency and
effectiveness and lower costs in the longer term. I also want to encourage you to work with your neighbouring municipalities to find innovative joint projects that can benefit each of you. The government is excited to learn about your project applications that support the following priorities:
• Digital modernization
• Service integration
• Streamlined development approvals
• Shared services/alternative delivery models
To apply, you must submit a completed Expression of Interest form with attached supporting documents via the Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) system by March 15, 2021. To get started, visit www.Ontario.ca/getfunding.
If you have questions on the program, or would like to discuss a proposal, I encourage you to contact your Municipal Services Office or e-mail [email protected].
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Office of the Minister 777 Bay Street, 17th Floor
- 2 -
I look forward to continuing to work together to support your municipality in delivering efficient, effective and modern services for your residents and businesses.
Sincerely,
Steve Clark Minister
c. Chief Administrative Officers and Treasurers