Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to let all of our witnesses know that we appreciate their being here today for the study on the intergenerational transfer of farms. However, I want to start with the statement that farmland itself is a finite resource that is essential for food production, for sustainability and for our rural economies.
I'll focus on Ontario. Right now, only 5% of Ontario's land mass is suitable for agriculture, so we need to protect farmland. We need to better use other land for development, both for housing and for economic development.
Being from Wellington, Ms. Foster, I'll start by mentioning a local farmland issue in Waterloo Region, where I'm from. We've heard from many constituents who are concerned right now about expropriation of farmland for industrial use in the Township of Wilmot, in my riding of Kitchener—Conestoga, and I share their concerns.
I believe we can use lower-quality lands, not prime farmland, that have the necessary infrastructure, which would have much fewer negative social and environmental impacts, and I agree with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture's statement that it strongly supports rural economic development where that does not undermine our precious and finite agricultural resources.
Ms. Foster, what strategies would you recommend that could optimize the use of the limited agricultural land we have for both farming and also necessary development? What can we do to make sure we're striking that balance? Are there any policies or strategies you can suggest?