Glengarry Federation of Agriculture (GFA) president Duncan Ferguson listens intently as Councillors pose questions about his presentation. Tinkess Photo

CORNWALL – SDG Counties held a Committee of the Whole meeting on Mon., Feb. 9 for the purpose of discussing the SDG Roadside Tree Planting program. The meeting had been arranged as a result of opposition to the program in its present form by several members of the agricultural community, led by Glengarry Federation of Agriculture (GFA) president Duncan Ferguson. The GFA had expressed concerns around the economic impacts on neighbouring farm properties, cost of maintaining and the overall effectiveness of the living windbreaks in their current form.

The meeting began with a presentation by Cameron Harper, Director of Transportation Services and Phil Duncan, County Forester detailing the program, with a short question period following its completion.

The second part of the meeting consisted of Ferguson making his own presentation, which was equally detailed, and presented the viewpoint of the farm community. Not surprisingly, both presentations seemed to support the same goals, and both indicated that they were open to further discussion and finding a way to work together.

For their part, the Councillors listened intently and asked probing questions, admitting at times that there were things that they needed to understand better, but coming to the conclusion that there was something here that warranted further discussion, since it seemed, at least to someone not actively engaged in agriculture, that both sides of the discussion did have similar goals, but with slightly different views of how to achieve them.

Ferguson had suggested a pause in this aspect of the tree planting program so that these discussions could take place, and informally that is what he received, with several Councillors speaking on how this would be the prudent way to proceed. The direction of Council indicated a preference that tree planting will continue in 2026, but not as living windbreaks along the sides of county roads. Funds which had been allocated to that project could be used to plant trees in other less contentious locations.

An added benefit of the meeting was a willingness at least in principle that an agriculture advisory committee might bring value and insight to some of the decision that Council are asked to make. Staff will be investigating this further and return with a report to Council.

Ferguson was asked if he was satisfied with what his presentation to the Committee of the Whole had achieved. “We just wanted to take a step back, so that we can have an intelligent conversation about this, and really, you know, for me, I look at the shortcomings, especially when it comes to line of sight, and the financial impact that it’s going to have brought me, and to our members. And I think we got the response of, you know, today, just as an acknowledgement of some of the impacts that these projects are happening on our operators right now.

Those who make their livelihood in agriculture are understandably, and justifiably passionate about what they do, but approaching Council with a “We need to talk,” attitude seemed to deliver the best possible outcome. “Yes, absolutely,” added Ferguson. “That’s right, and that’s why I wanted to do it through the committee of the whole.

This tones down the emotion a little bit, and we can think intelligently about it, and I am very appreciative that the Counties did set up a Committee of the Whole meeting so that we can bring this forward.

With a pause in the Roadside Tree Planting program, there could exist an opportunity for a stronger partnership to be formed which could help avoid similar situations in the future.