Proposed Motion for Discussion:
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 and;
Whereas the influences of COVID-19 on working farms has resulted in a challenging situation for many farmers and;
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 and;
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 and;
Whereas a large amount of the profit made by working farms is reinvested into the maintenance and operation of the business and;
Whereas as a city it is critical to provide our ongoing support to farmers;
Therefore be it resolved that working farms be granted an exemption from paying the stormwater management charge and;
Further that staff report back to Council on the implications and feasibility of implementing a partial exemption of the stormwater management charge for properties zoned for agricultural use.