Wynn defends proposed Local Food Act

Thursday, April 18, 2013

by SUSAN MANN

The reintroduced Local Food Act is currently in second reading at Queen’s Park and continues to face criticism from the Progressive Conservatives.

Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman says in an April 19 press release Bill 36, the Local Food Act, misses many opportunities to address challenges in local food production, distribution and education. He’s also concerned the bill, which includes a local food week that starts the Monday before Thanksgiving, will replace Ontario Agriculture Week with Local Food Week. The week before Thanksgiving has been earmarked as Ontario Agriculture Week since 1998 to recognize farmers.

But in a prepared statement, Premier and Agriculture Minister Kathleen Wynne says Agriculture Week has been a great vehicle for recognizing Ontario farmers. “The addition of Local Food Week does not replace this recognition but adds to it.”

She also says “this important piece of legislation is designed to increase awareness of, and access to, local food. We know that when consumers choose to buy the good things that grow in Ontario, we’re supporting made-in-Ontario jobs and a healthy population.”

Bill 36 aims to make more local food available in the province’s markets, grocery stores and institutions. Wynne reintroduced the bill in March after a previous one died last year when the Ontario legislature was temporarily suspended in October by Dalton McGuinty, former premier. BF