Claudette Richard views a proposed bill to protect Ontario's farmers, farm animals and the agri-food industry as nothing more than a "gag order" that will hurt free speech and the protection of animals.

Bill 156, the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, was introduced by the provincial Conservatives last December and is intended to reduce the likelihood of people trespassing on farms and processing facilities.

It also deals with obstructing the transportation of livestock.

A letter from Niagara Federation of Agriculture president Chris Hamilton sought support from Welland council and said existing laws were not doing enough to protect farms, farm families and their homes from the risk of invasion.

"Ontario farms have increasingly come under threat of unwanted trespassers and activists who are illegally entering property, barns and building, seizing private property and threatening the health and safety of the farm, employees, livestock and crops.

"It has resulted in farmers, their families and employees becoming increasingly frightened and frustrated," wrote Hamilton.

The proposed legislation would create "animal protection zones" on farms, processing facilities and other prescribed premises and provide escalating fines of up to $15,000 for a first offence and up to $25,000 for subsequent offences, compared to a $10,000 maximum fine under the Trespass to Property Act.

In an email, Richard said she wasn't in favour of the bill because it would hurt free speech and the protection and treatment of animals.

She said it would criminalize the practice of entering a farm or slaughterhouse under false pretences, which would keep whistleblowers and journalists from taking jobs in order to investigate any alleged abuse.

The councillor said any attempt to introduce a gag law, as she called the legislation, should be concerning.

She said similar laws have been struck down south of the border in places like Utah and Idaho as unconstitutional attempts to interfere with free speech.

"Transparency protects animals and the enforcement of standards. There are no laws providing for animal welfare standards in Ontario. The bill comes at a time when the animal industry in our area is increasingly under attack for tolerating cruel and inhumane treatment," said Richard.

In his letter, Hamilton said the federation, with more than 1,400 farm family members, supports the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act that implemented a provincially funded animal welfare enforcement model, designed to protect animals from abuse and neglect, and created uniformity across Ontario.

He said the legislation introduced a new enforcement system for Ontario, headed by the Chief Animal Welfare Inspector, and includes trained animal welfare inspectors employed by the province.

"As a publicly funded animal-welfare enforcement model, this revamped system provides for increased accountability, transparency and oversight by the government," Hamilton said.

The letter before council also spoke about the biosecurity threat posed by those who trespass.

"Breaches in biosecurity puts the health and welfare of our animals and our food supply at risk," Hamilton's letter said.

Welland council received the federation's letter for information.

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