Saving Spring Planting

Food is essential. Sign our petition to Re-Open community gardens

Food production will always be essential.

The province made a mistake by closing down community gardens due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This hurts tens of thousands of families as well as food banks who rely on gardens for fresh fruit and vegetables.

British Columbia, New Brunswick and PEI have kept their gardens open by classifying them as an essential service.

Two weeks ago, our leader Mike Schreiner asked the Premier to do the same.

We're hearing that the province is considering a reversal of their decision after pressure from community groups, municipalities and everyone who signed our petition.

But they need a final push.

Sign Mike’s letter before the growing season is lost.

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Dear Premier Ford,

I am writing to ask you to consider a revision to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act that would re-classify community gardens as an essential service that can be open rather than as a recreational activity that must be closed.

While I support the restriction of all non-essential activities, I believe it was a mistake to close community gardens, which are an essential food source for families and food banks.

Over 10,000 Ontarians have recently signed a petition to reopen community gardens with physical distancing guidelines that will keep everyone safe. A growing list of community groups are also asking for a reversal of your decision and have suggested public health measures for community gardens to adopt.

There are also requests from the municipal level, including from the Ottawa Board of Health, while Kingston City Council is considering a motion to request permission to reopen community gardens.

Premier, I urge your government to work with public health departments on an immediate plan to reopen community gardens with physical distancing guidelines.

We can keep Ontarians safe, while allowing essential local food production to continue.

Sincerely,

You can submit this letter as-is or change it to reflect your own priorities. Your comment will be forwarded with the subject line "Please save spring planting", including your name, email and postal code to Premier Doug Ford. You will also be added to the GPO mailing list but you can unsubscribe at any time.