Agricultural Policy and Action Committee Terms Of Reference

Preamble

The Agricultural Policy and Action Committee was formed in 2013 as a direction from Regional Council to amalgamate the Agricultural Sub-Committee and the Regional Chair's Agricultural Task Force. The Agricultural Sub-Committee was established in 1972 to create support programs through the two federations of agriculture to promote the agricultural industry in the Niagara region and to provide input into planning issues that could have an impact on the agricultural industry.

The Regional Chair's Agricultural Task Force was formed in 2002 to identify and take action on major blockades to the long-term viability of agriculture and to influence positive changes in agriculture-related policy at all levels of government. The amalgamation of the two committees into the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee provides the opportunity to recognize and align the work of both committees and to recognize the critical primacy of agriculture in Niagara in terms of both public policy and demonstrable actions.

Mandate

The Agricultural Policy and Action Committee is an advisory body established by Niagara Region under the following terms of reference. The committee has been established to advise Regional Council on issues that impact the agricultural industry and support Regional Council, reporting through the Planning and Economic Development Committee, by initiating, developing, implementing and participating in actions and strategies needed to advance the agricultural industry and preserve the agricultural land base throughout Niagara.

Goals / purpose

  • Initiate, develop, implement and participate in strategies to advance the agricultural industry and preserve the agricultural land base in Niagara
  • Update, as necessary, and carry out the tasks contained within the Agricultural Action Plan
  • Act as a continuing liaison committee to further the interests of and promote the agricultural industry of the Niagara region
  • Provide input on planning-related matters that could have an impact on the agricultural industry
  • Provide a link between the agricultural industry, the agri-food industry and the economic development and health agendas

Reporting Structure

The Agricultural Policy and Action Committee will report to Regional Council through the Planning and Economic Development Committee.

Work plan

The Agricultural Policy and Action Committee will provide guidance to staff in the development of an annual work plan identifying the specific initiatives and activities to be undertaken within each of the areas of focus, inclusive of budget needs, to further guide decision-making and resource management.

Membership

Composition

Membership for the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee shall not exceed a maximum of 15 members with the majority of members being from the agricultural sector (primary producers).

Membership for the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee shall include:

  • At least two representatives of the Niagara Federation of Agriculture
  • Up to six Regional Council representatives as appointed by Regional Council

Depending on the priority issues outlined in the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee's work plan, the remainder of the membership should target membership from across the Niagara region, throughout the value chain, from a range of commodities and sectors related to the agricultural industry. Membership or participation by the Niagara Federation of Agriculture is considered an asset.

The remainder of the membership may target but is not limited to the following commodity / interest groups:

  • Tender fruit industry
  • Research sector
  • Dealer / shipper industry
  • Grape industry
  • Meat / food processing industry
  • Greenhouse industry
  • Land preservation and environmental protection sector
  • Nursery and landscape industry
  • Cash crop industry
  • Poultry industry
  • Livestock industry

All attempts will be made to stay within the guideline composition; however, if the applications received or the qualifications of applicants do not fully address the guideline composition criteria, the most capable and qualified applicants will be recommended for appointment to fulfill the membership composition.

The call for membership shall be made by invitation circulated to local agricultural stakeholders

Term

The term of membership shall be four years, concurrent with Regional Council's elected term of office, and the membership shall be approved by Council in accordance with membership requirements in the terms of reference. Current committee members shall indicate their desire to be reappointed to the committee no later than the December meeting before the change in Council.

Privacy

The meetings of the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee are public. Members should be aware that their names will be in the public realm and a list of membership may be provided when requested. Member information, other than name or municipality, will be kept confidential in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Roles and responsibilities

Chair and vice chair

A chair and vice chair will be elected from committee members on a biannual basis at the first meeting of the new year to preside over meetings and committee business. The chair of the committee shall be a Regional Councillor. The vice chair of the committee shall be a stakeholder member.

It is the role of the chair to preside over committee meetings so that its business can be carried out efficiently and effectively and to act as a liaison between the committee, the Planning and Economic Development Committee and Regional Council.

It is the role of the vice chair to preside over committee meetings in the absence of the chair and to perform any other duties delegated by the chair or as assigned by the committee through a majority vote.

Committee members

All Agricultural Policy and Action Committee members, including the chair and vice chair, have the responsibility to help achieve the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee's mandate and goals / purposes. Committee members are also responsible for:

  • Reviewing meeting materials in advance of the meetings and arrive prepared to provide a broad perspective on the issues under consideration
  • Working diligently to complete assigned activities
  • Participating in working groups, as appropriate
  • Agreeing to describe, process and resolve issues in a professional and respectful manner
  • Providing input to help identify future projects or strategic priorities for future years' work
  • Communicating activities of the committee to groups represented or those who may have an interest and offer information back to the committee

Working groups

To fulfill its mandate and accomplish its goals, the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee will establish working groups to deal with specific issues or projects. The working groups will meet, as needed, to review specific issues referred to them by the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee and otherwise complete their assigned tasks.

Working groups are considered to be time-limited, project specific sub-committees of the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee in that they are convened to accomplish a specific task (or tasks) in a narrowly defined time period.

Working groups must be comprised of at least two members of the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee and may include community members and other individuals with relevant knowledge and expertise. Local municipal participation should be sought depending on the nature of the work being undertaken.

Working groups shall be chaired where possible by a voting member of the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee and shall provide regular updates to the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee regarding recommendations on assigned projects. Minutes of the meetings of the working group shall be recorded and submitted to the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee for proper directing through the approval process. Working groups may meet at a time and place as decided by the members of the working group.

Some examples of projects to be undertaken by the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee working group(s) include raw water for irrigation, review of the Province's Greenbelt Plan, conducting an in-depth review of provincial policy, guiding the creation of a Rural Community Improvement Plan and guide technological studies.

Administrative support shall be provided by a staff representative of the Growth Strategy and Economic Development Department or designate. The appropriate staff representative (or designate) will attend all working group meetings.

Resources

The Growth Strategy and Economic Development Department is the designated lead department regarding resource support for the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee; however, the committee also has access to the technical expertise of staff from other Regional departments as may be required. It is recognized that staff time and the level of participation will be dependent on other departmental priorities as determined by senior management and / or Regional Council. As required, additional resources may be sought. Additional resourcing may be required for projects with senior levels of government.

The committee shall receive administrative support from the Office of the Regional Clerk for meeting and agenda management.

Meetings

A meeting schedule following a quarterly cycle shall be set for the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee. The schedule will be circulated to the members for approval each year. Should a time sensitive matter arise, the Agricultural Policy and Action Committee may meet at the call of the chair.

The Agricultural Policy and Action Committee meetings may be held online, at Regional Headquarters or another suitable location as may be determined. All meetings will be open to the public.

Meetings shall be governed by the Region's Procedural By-law, being a by-law to govern the calling, place and proceedings of the meetings of Council and its committees, as may be amended from time to time. This includes rules surrounding quorum.

If necessary, a schedule setting the due dates for materials to be included on the agenda will be circulated to each member pending adoption of a meeting schedule or the scheduling of a meeting date.

A committee member who is unable to attend a meeting shall forward his / her regrets to the Office of the Regional Clerk as soon as possible. Should the Office of the Regional Clerk not have confirmation of quorum 24 hours before the meeting, the meeting shall be cancelled.

Absenteeism

Members who miss three unauthorized consecutive meetings shall be deemed to have resigned from the committee and will be notified of this in writing by the committee chair.

Amendments to the terms of reference

The terms of reference should be reviewed and refined at a minimum of every four years to ensure that they remain current and meaningful.

Proposals to amend the terms of reference shall require the approval of a majority of the members present. Proposed amendments to the terms of reference shall be submitted to Regional Council for approval through the Planning and Economic Development Committee and shall take effect only upon the approval of Council.

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