Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae has tabled a new Private Members Bill titled the Growing Agri-Tourism Act.
Rae says the bill aims to, among other things, remove barriers to investment across the agri-tourism landscape. Rae explains what he means by that.
"A lot of our farm families are looking to provide educational experiences or pick your own experiences on the farm during the harvest season. So, the Growing Agri-Tourism Act will help provide some consistency around the liability that these operations encounter when they choose to open such tourism initiatives. So it'll provide some consistency so you can see more investment in this sector," Rae shared.
Rae says if passed, the bill will create a standard for ensuring that participants are aware of the inherent risks associated with farm activities when they attend an agri-tourism experience. He says that will ensure that farmers, if they follow the guidelines, won't face liability issues when offering agri-tourism experiences.
"Whether it's uneven ground or an animal that may lick you or bunt it's head, it's just making sure those visitors are aware of that, especially those who may not be from a farm, which is great. We want to attract those people to our communities to learn more about our agriculture and the animals we take care of. So this will require, it does lay out in the bill, some things an operator will have to do to benefit from the protections in this bill," added Rae.
Rae shares some of what those requirements are.
"If an agri-tourism provider wants to benefit from the protections proposed in the Growing Agri-Tourism Act, they would have to follow the recommendations in the bill itself. So that's posting a warning sign in the specific legal languages in the act itself, or providing that language in the form of a waiver. Some agri-tourism providers do this already, but some don't," Rae pointed out.
It will be a choice whether or not an agri-tourism operation follows the guidelines, but Rae points out if they don't, they will not be protected from liability actions that result from a potential visitor injury.
"So ensuring that there is consistency across all of our providers around that, if they choose to do so. If they choose not to, that is their choice but then they are still open to any liability action, as well. For example, a twisted ankle because the land is uneven, but this act would then ensure that we're protecting our agri-tourism providers from those potential liabilities if they follow the recommendations set out in the act itself," Rae explained.
With agri-tourism growing in popularity, Rae says a bill like this is necessary to protect another source of income for agricultural businesses and families, and he has support from some major players.
"I think it will be very valuable to the agriculture sector. I know the Ontario Federation of Agriculture is supporting my bill which I'm greatly appreciative of, but so is the tourism associations in Ontario and so is Farm Fresh, which represents many agri-tourism providers across Ontario. It's in Northern Ontario, obviously southern Ontario, every community has at least one agri-tourism provider, whether it's a pick your own thing or a restaurant on the farm, I know some in Perth County are starting to offer that, as well," said Rae. "So there's a vast variety and a lot of potential for people to experience, whether it's the animals, whether it's the land or the different seasons, there is a lot there for people to experience that farm to table aspect which is really special in Perth and Wellington counties and really all over Ontario."
“Thank you to MPP Rae for tabling this piece of legislation,” said Darlene Downey, Board Chair of Farm Fresh Ontario and owner of Downey’s Farm Market. “We are grateful for his leadership in putting forth the Growing Agritourism Act This 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.”
According to a release from Rae's office, in 2022, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture conducted a local food and agri-tourism survey of their membership. More than 40 per cent of the respondents indicated that they would sell value-added products ranging from baked goods and wool to preserves and prepared meals, as well as providing on-farm experiences. Agritourism provides opportunities to both diversify farm income and raise awareness of the farm and agriculture sector with urban neighbours.
Rae adds this bill is the first of its kind in Canada.