All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes

North Dumfries — Ward 4

2 candidates responded

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All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes
Barb Elliott See responses
In the context of growing pressure for economic development and the connected loss of farmland, what role do municipalities and the Region hold in promoting local food livelihoods, production, and processing?ranked from highest to lowest importance
  1. Develop a local food strategy, including research on how land-use change affects the food system
  2. Partner with other levels of government to develop local food hubs that reduce costs and barriers for small businesses
  3. Promote and support low-barrier spaces for local producers to distribute and sell food
  4. Encourage and support local landowners to rent to newcomer farmers
  5. Leave local food livelihoods to the private market
How should municipalities and the Region approach food insecurity and affordability?select up to 3 per part
A. Access to food
  • Partner with local charities, non-profits, and other organizations to strengthen access to food and redistribution of surplus food and produce for low-income residents
  • Support local food procurement for school food programs, including processing/preparation infrastructure, food literacy, and youth learning opportunities
  • Support programs to prepare food for those who are unhoused or unable to cook
B. Access to land for growing food
  • Make public lands (Regional and municipal) available for sustenance food provisioning, including in urban and peri-urban spaces as cities expand
  • Enable access to land and resources for local people who want to grow their own food (e.g. the community-garden model)
  • Encourage and support private landowners to make lots available for food provisioning

Please describe one concrete policy, program, or decision you would support to strengthen the local food system.candidate's own words

I would support a local-food market policy that makes it easier for farmers and small producers to sell at farmers’ markets, farm gates, seasonal pop-ups, and community events. The Township should review permits, fees, signage, and access to suitable public space to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining health and safety standards. It is a practical, low-cost way to support local agriculture, small business, and food access.

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Jonathan Bos See responses
In the context of growing pressure for economic development and the connected loss of farmland, what role do municipalities and the Region hold in promoting local food livelihoods, production, and processing?ranked from highest to lowest importance
  1. Leave local food livelihoods to the private market
  2. Encourage and support local landowners to rent to newcomer farmers
  3. Develop a local food strategy, including research on how land-use change affects the food system
  4. Partner with other levels of government to develop local food hubs that reduce costs and barriers for small businesses
  5. Promote and support low-barrier spaces for local producers to distribute and sell food
How should municipalities and the Region approach food insecurity and affordability?select up to 3 per part
A. Access to food
  • Support local food procurement for school food programs, including processing/preparation infrastructure, food literacy, and youth learning opportunities
B. Access to land for growing food
  • Make public lands (Regional and municipal) available for sustenance food provisioning, including in urban and peri-urban spaces as cities expand
  • Enable access to land and resources for local people who want to grow their own food (e.g. the community-garden model)
  • Our agriculture sector is well equipped to provide food for whoever needs it. Community food plots
  • however
  • are a great use of underutilized municipal lands

Please describe one concrete policy, program, or decision you would support to strengthen the local food system.candidate's own words

North Dumfries has huge potential for small farms to thrive. Happy to promote local food production and consumption by connecting producers to consumers. Market space or even online hub is a great start.

Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on food systems?candidate's own words

I work in production agriculture daily. I don't look at small producers as competition or inefficient. They need support from our municipal governments in the form of promotion, reducing red tape, etc

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