The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is showing its backing for Cargill Limited’s request for a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) to safeguard the ongoing operation of its grain terminal in Sarnia.
Cargill made this application in late 2025, seeking to restrict sensitive land uses – like residential areas, hospitals, or daycares – within 300 metres of the facility on Exmouth Street.
In a letter addressed to Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack, OFA President Drew Spoelstra referred to the terminal as “a critical component of Ontario’s agri-food network and export infrastructure.”
“As one of only a limited number of export grain terminals in southern Ontario, the facility plays a critical role in supporting Ontario farmers, food production, global trade and agricultural supply chain resilience,” said Spoelstra. “The terminal handles approximately 35 per cent of Ontario’s export grain capacity and supports the movement of millions of tonnes of wheat, soybeans, and corn annually, while also receiving fertilizer inputs essential to agricultural production across nearly 400,000 acres of farmland in southwestern Ontario.”
Spoelstra noted that this infrastructure is an important provincial asset connecting farm production with domestic processors and export markets, along with livestock feed operations, marine transport and rail networks vital to the sector.
“Continued, reliable operation of facilities such as the Cargill terminal ensures that Ontario farm products efficiently reach consumers and international markets while maintaining the competitiveness and viability of Ontario’s agricultural sector,” he stated.
“As identified in similar land use compatibility concerns involving the Ontario Food Terminal in Toronto, incompatible residential encroachment near critical agri-food infrastructure creates significant operational risks and long-term uncertainty,” Spoelstra mentioned. “Supporters of the Ontario Food Terminal MZO correctly recognized that introducing sensitive land uses adjacent to essential food distribution infrastructure can lead to complaints related to noise, traffic, odour, dust, and around-the-clock logistics activity, ultimately threatening the continued successful operation of those facilities.”
Spoelstra added that these concerns are “directly applicable in Sarnia.”
“Cargill has advised that residential development near the terminal is highly likely to result in increased complaints and regulatory pressures relating to its grain handling operations, truck traffic, and dust emissions – despite substantial investments they have made in mitigation measures and operational improvements,” he explained. “As seen elsewhere in Ontario-such as industrial agricultural operations facing closures due to urban encroachment-these land-use conflicts can eventually threaten strategically important facilities.”
Spoelstra emphasized that safeguarding the terminal through appropriate land-use planning measures is vital for preserving the integrity of Ontario’s agri-food supply chain while avoiding foreseeable conflicts between sensitive residential areas and commercial industrial agricultural operations.
He urges Minister Flack to lend support for the requested MZO.
You can read the OFA’s full letter here.
Despite this application being made, amendments for Tricar’s proposed 14-storey high-rise on Harbour Road were approved by Sarnia council on Monday.
A planned residential development on Exmouth Street remains uncertain as stakeholders await news regarding Cargill’s MZO request.
Support for Cargill has also come from several groups and municipalities including the County of Lambton Agricultural Advisory Committee, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, Lambton Federation of Agriculture, St. Clair Township, Town of Plympton-Wyoming, and Township of Enniskillen.
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