Removing barriers to grow agritourism across Ontario is the focus of a new Private Member’s Bill tabled by Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae.
He said in a release agritourism “is ripe for growth over the coming years” in his area as well as the rest of the province.
“This legislation, if passed, will remove barriers to investment, provide consistency across Ontario’s agritourism providers, and ensure participants are aware of the inherent risks associated with farm activities.”
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Rae tabled the Growing Agritourism Act, 2024 on April 16, saying it is the first-of-its-kind in Canada.
He said the Act aims to mitigate some of the risks involved with agritourism, offering liability protections and agritourism operators would have to clearly inform visitors of the inherent risks associated with farm operations.
“This bill will serve as a benchmark for the rest of Canada to strive towards,” Rae said. “Many of our farm families in Perth-Wellington, and across Ontario, are choosing to offer agritourism activities on their farms. They are opening their homes to the public to share their love of the land and animals. It is important we ensure all parties know the inherent risks associated with walking on to an active farm operation.”
The Act has support from various provincial organizations. Darlene Downey, board chair of Farm Fresh Ontario and owner of Downey’s Farm Market said in the release the Act “will give peace of mind to farm operators across Ontario, allowing us to continue to welcome visitors to our homes and farms, sharing our passion for agriculture through fun and educational experiences.”
Andrew Siegwart, president and CEO of Tourism Industry Association of Ontario said liability exposure has limited the economic potential of agritourism. He said his organization believes the Act will provide businesses with the necessary protection against frivolous claims and equip them with the confidence to grow and invest in compelling agritourism experiences that enhance the competitiveness of Ontario’s tourism industry.”
Kevin Vallier, CEO, Farm Fresh Ontario called the Act “a game changer for our sector and our members.”
Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Drew Spoelstra said the Act will reduce red tape and help Ontario agritourism operators grow and diversify their operations.
