Addressing the Landgrab in Southern Ontario

Addressing the Landgrab in Southern Ontario Globally, there is a growing landgrab by investors and foreign countries of prime farmland. NGOs such as Grain and the Oakland Institute have documented the landgrab throughout the world, and the efforts of social movements that are addressing this social problem. The National Farmers Union has produced a policy paper on the landgrab within Canada. This session provided an overview of the global landgrab, and of policies to ensure food sovereignty. Speakers addressed farmland grab in Ontario, focusing on the proposed Melancthon megaquarry and “leapfrog” development pressure outside of the Ontario Greenbelt in southern Ontario (Brant, Simcoe and Niagara Counties).Globally, there is a growing landgrab by investors and foreign countries of prime farmland. NGOs such as Grain and the National Farmers Union have documented the landgrab throughout the world and within Canada. This paper addresses the landgrab In southern Ontario, particularly outside of the Ontario Greenbelt in Brant, Simcoe and Niagara Counties. This paper also provides a review of policies to protect prime farmland and to ensure food sovereignty