Protecting Edmonton’s Food Security

The Greater Edmonton Alliance had a great day at city hall yesterday, winning key votes on their year long campaign to preserve farm land and integrate a local food system into any future plans for development.

Motions were passed to ensure that mechanisms and strategies to preserve farmland within in Edmonton will be in place before any land can be planned, rezoned or developed.

This was GEA’s primary task from the beginning of the “This Land is our Land” Campaign launched in September of 2008. More than a year later it is now moving forward in the final version of the MDP to be voted on in February.

The biggest win came on the following motion:

2.2.1.7- Preparation of Area Structure Plans is authorized for the Northeast, Southeast, Southwest Urban Growth Areas and shall only be approved following council acceptance of, and adherence with the:

- Growth Coordination Strategy
- Integrated Infrastructure Plan: and
- City Wide Food and Agriculture Strategy

An amendment to delete the City Wide Food and Agriculture Strategy was made by Ward 3 Councilor Tony Caterina. This amendment was defeated in a 7-6 nail-biter.

Those councilors who voted for keeping the City Wide Food and Agriculture Strategy tied to the motion and any future planning and development were: Karen Lebovici, Ron Hayter, Don Iveson, Dave Theile, Ben Henderson, Kim Krushell, Linda Sloan.

Those who voted to remove the City Wide Food and Agriculture strategy from the motion were: Mayor Mandel, Tony Caterina, Ed Gibbons, Jane Batty, Bryan Anderson and Amarjeet Sohi.

The GEA extends their thanks to all of who helped out with the campaign.

This is a huge step forward for food security in Edmonton.

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