The Ontario Government Takes Steps to Protect Farmers
Proposed Bill helps to prevent risky trespass activities
NEWS February 6, 2020
BRANTFORD — Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Will Bouma, MPP for Brantford–Brant, met today with local farmers to discuss Bill 156. If passed, the bill will protect farmers, agri-businesses, agri-food sector workers, farm animals and Ontario’s food supply against the risks of on-farm trespass and interference with livestock transport.
“We have received a lot of support from across the province for our proposed legislation to improve protection against trespass,” said Minister Hardeman. “Our hard-working farmers, their families, employees and farm animals face unique risks and challenges associated with trespass onto a farm or into a food processing facility. We take their safety very seriously and this bill addresses those risks.”
Bill 156, the proposed Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2019, was introduced by Minister Hardeman in the Ontario Legislature on December 2, 2019 and began Second Reading on December 10, 2019.
The proposed Bill strengthens protection for farmers by:
- Increasing fines for the first offence to up to $15,000 and up to $25,000 for subsequent offences
- Allowing the courts to order restitution in cases where a farmer has suffered damages to their livestock or from theft
- Protecting farmers from civil claims by people who were hurt on the farm while they were trespassing
“Our government understands the important role that farmers play in our communities and our economy,” said MPP Bouma. “I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to hear directly from local farmers and their comments on Bill 156. I look forward to working with both the government and the farming community of Brantford-Brant in the future.”
“If passed, our proposed Bill would not interfere with the right of people to participate in legal protests,” said Minister Hardeman. “Our government will always protect that right. However, these activities cannot include creating safety risks on farms or interfering with livestock in transport. I look forward to carrying forward the proposed legislation through its next steps when the Legislature returns later this month.”
Prior to the introduction of the proposed Bill, Minister Hardeman held several meetings with farmers where they expressed the need for government action to deal with on-farm trespass. Farmers feeling unsafe on their properties and suffering from mental health stress due to the threat of trespass was the driving force behind the proposed Bill.
The meeting also provided the Minister an opportunity to emphasize the government’s commitment to Rural Ontario and support of agriculture in the province.
QUICK FACTS
- The Rural Ontario Municipal Association, Association of Municipalities Ontario, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Pork, the Ontario Livestock Transporters’ Alliance, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Food and Beverage Ontario and the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association are among the many organizations who have expressed support for the proposed legislation.
- Nearly 80 municipalities have passed or supported council resolutions calling on the government to strengthen protections for farm families, employees and animals.
RESOURCES
- Bill 156 — Proposed Protection from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2019
- News release and backgrounders — Ontario Introduces Legislation to Protect Ontario’s Farmers, Farm Animals and Food Supply (December 2, 2019)
| Media Contacts | Ontario.ca/agriculture-news Disponible en français |
| Avi Yufest, Minister’s Office, 416-326-3067 Tanja Kiperovic, Communications Branch, 519-826-3145 |