There's never an easy answer. The problem with land-use planning is that it usually begins with conflict. It arises from conflict as a basis for its need, really. That's its purpose; that's why it's there. It's not as if we can just blow away conflict by having better policy. I think it's a matter of clarifying the position of farmland, farmers, and food within Canadian society, so making a much clearer, much more direct statement about the importance of farmland within the broader society. Those port decisions are generally made without those considerations, primarily out of an economic development, global-oriented system. I think we need a more comprehensive articulation of what the interests are and where agriculture needs to fit.
On September 28th, 2017. See this statement in context.