NDP MPP Bhutila Karpoche’s statement on workers victory to keep Ontario Food Terminal open

“This long-delayed decision will finally assure Food Terminal workers, farmers, independent grocers and restauranteurs who feared for their futures when the Ford government conspicuously excluded the Ontario Food Terminal lands from its initial list of Provincially Significant Employment Zones in January. It was on their behalf that in June I tabled Bill 127, the Ontario Food Terminal Protection Act to designate the lands as a Provincially-Significant Employment Zone. This is their victory.”

Background:

• In April 2019, in its budget document, the Ford government announced a review of the Ontario Food Terminal. This review, combined with the absence of the Food Terminal from the government’s list of Provincially Significant Employment Zones (PSEZ), prompted fears that the government secretly planned to sell the lands and relocate the Terminal.
• In June 2019, Bhutila Karpoche tabled Bill 127, the Ontario Food Terminal Protection Act to designate the lands as a Provincially-Significant Employment Zone.
• Earlier this morning, the government confirmed they would designate the Terminal as a PSEZ.