See Item 10.6.1
Note: Referred from the Committee of Council Meeting of March 10, 2021, pursuant to Recommendation CW133-2021, as follows:
CW133-2021
That the following draft motion be referred to the March 24, 2021 meeting of Council:
Whereas the influence of growth as a Municipality on agriculture has a large impact on the ability of working farms to provide for themselves and their families;
Whereas the influences of COVID-19 on working farms has resulted in a challenging situation for many farmers;
Whereas climate change has a vast effect on working farms, the agricultural sector has begun to look at inventive ways to reduce emissions and to pursue land-use practices that will help mitigate and combat climate change;
Whereas farmers in the City of Brampton understand the importance and necessity to reuse agricultural wastewater and utilize efficient irrigation methods to minimize or eliminate wastage of water;
Whereas a large amount of the profit made by working farms is reinvested into the maintenance and operation of the business;
Whereas as a city it is critical to provide our ongoing support to farmers;
Whereas s. 106 of the Municipal Act, 2001 prohibits municipal assistance including by giving a total or partial exemption from any levy, charge or fee to commercial enterprises which may include farms; and
Whereas s. 33 of the Stormwater Charge By-law provides that the Stormwater Charge may be revised modified or amended based on an internal review conducted by the City;
Therefore be it resolved that staff be directed to undertake an assessment of working farm properties to determine and implement internal adjustments that may be required to the Stormwater Charge recognizing the characteristics of such properties.