A global food corporation running a grain terminal in Sarnia is urging Ontario to restrict nearby development.
Jan 07, 2026 • Last updated 4 days ago •
The Cargill grain elevators in Sarnia can be seen in November 2024 to the south of land in Point Edward planned for townhouse construction. (File photo)
A global food processor operating a grain terminal in Sarnia is requesting the province to limit nearby development, and local mayors are not happy about it.
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“They caught us off guard with this,” said Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley regarding Cargill.
The company reached out on Dec. 19 to Bradley and Point Edward Mayor Bev Hand, claiming that proposals for residential development nearby could threaten the terminal’s operations.
“An application for a Ministerial Zoning Order has been submitted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, which proposes a two-tiered buffer approach to manage the introduction of new sensitive land uses in proximity to the terminal,” the letters from Cargill’s Jennifer Marchand state.
The proposal includes a 300 metre “prohibition on sensitive land uses” around the Cargill site, along with a holding provision between 301 and 650 metres, where changes would need technical studies and mitigation measures.
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The municipalities shared these letters with media outlets alongside maps created by city staff showing the extent of the proposed buffer zones.
If approved, this request would override current municipal land use planning rules, Bradley explained, mentioning that a developer is considering an apartment building within 300 metres of Cargill near the city’s harbour.
Maps provided by the City of Sarnia show the proposed buffers a proposed Ministerial Zoning Order would create around Cargill’s grain terminal. (Handout) jpg, SO, apsmc
“Cargill actively engages with government officials on initiatives critical to ensuring our grain terminal operations remain viable long-term,” says their statement.
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“This includes advocating for effective land use policies and tools to protect vital economic corridors and support agricultural supply chains.”
Bradley stated that municipal rezoning and land use processes require public input and studies.
“The reality is (an MZO would take) away from local decision-making.. and I’m hoping this doesn’t happen so we can control our own waterfront.”
The waterfront area has long been “mixed use” with a rail line connecting to Cargill passing through city parks , Bradley explained.
“And I get many complaints about that train running there…but I accept it.. We need to work together,” he noted.
Lands in Point Edward north of Sarnia’s harbour are being eyed for townhouse development. (Screenshot)
In her letter addressed to both Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as well as Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey-and shared with The Observer-Hand suggested that Cargill could purchase the ten-and-a-half hectare property set aside for development if they were seriously concerned about potential impacts from neighboring lands.
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In her letter she wrote: “This would seem like the best solution if they were seriously concerned about what might happen next door.”
Lambton Federation of Agriculture president Brian Eves emphasized how crucial this terminal is:“If that elevator were ever closed down it could have devastating consequences for farmers throughout Southwestern Ontario,” he pointed out.
Eves noted other terminals located in Windsor or Hamilton wouldn’t be able handle such increased volumes either:“It’s more than just shifting everything onto trucks; that’s just unrealistic.” Eves hadn’t heard specifics related to Cargill’s request concerning MZOs thus far; however he agreed discussing matters further should definitely occur considering how important keeping this port operational truly stands. Source link
A plan to improve the Sarnia and District Humane Society in Centennial Park would likely also be scrapped if this order were enforced, he added.
“It’s heavy handed,” he said. The terminal has been operating since 1927 and manages about 35 percent of Ontario’s export grain. Cargill mentioned in an email that around 50 people are employed through its operations at the terminal.
Maps provided by the City of Sarnia show the proposed buffers a proposed Ministerial Zoning Order would create around Cargill’s grain terminal. (Handout) jpg, SO, apsmc
“Cargill actively engages with government officials on initiatives critical to ensuring our grain terminal operations remain viable long-term,” says their statement.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
“This includes advocating for effective land use policies and tools to protect vital economic corridors and support agricultural supply chains.”
Bradley stated that municipal rezoning and land use processes require public input and studies.
“The reality is (an MZO would take) away from local decision-making.. and I’m hoping this doesn’t happen so we can control our own waterfront.”
The waterfront area has long been “mixed use” with a rail line connecting to Cargill passing through city parks , Bradley explained.
“And I get many complaints about that train running there…but I accept it.. We need to work together,” he noted.The humane society had recently considered relocating from Centennial Park but is now looking into expanding within that area instead , Bradley mentioned.
This has not loaded yet , but your article continues below. Hum an e soci ety executive director Donna Pyette an d board chair Bob Farlow did not respond immediately on Tuesday regarding an email seeking comment. A pl an f or an 184-un it townho use develop ment north o f th e term inal i n Po int Ed ward al so seems like an MZO target , Hand said. Point Edward and Sarnia settled a dispute over noise concerns , water capacity , sewer capacity , an d secondary access after Sar nia appealed th e build plan t o th e Ontario Land Tribunal i n 2025. Both municipalities met with C arg ill regarding their concerns but were only informed about th e MZO application on Dec.19th , according t o Hand.“I don’t think it’s fair at all -a corporation could potentially override.. two different municipalities.”
Lands in Point Edward north of Sarnia’s harbour are being eyed for townhouse development. (Screenshot)
In her letter addressed to both Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as well as Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey-and shared with The Observer-Hand suggested that Cargill could purchase the ten-and-a-half hectare property set aside for development if they were seriously concerned about potential impacts from neighboring lands.
This has not loaded yet but your article continues below.
In her letter she wrote: “This would seem like the best solution if they were seriously concerned about what might happen next door.”
Lambton Federation of Agriculture president Brian Eves emphasized how crucial this terminal is:“If that elevator were ever closed down it could have devastating consequences for farmers throughout Southwestern Ontario,” he pointed out.Eves noted other terminals located in Windsor or Hamilton wouldn’t be able handle such increased volumes either:“It’s more than just shifting everything onto trucks; that’s just unrealistic.” Eves hadn’t heard specifics related to Cargill’s request concerning MZOs thus far; however he agreed discussing matters further should definitely occur considering how important keeping this port operational truly stands. Source link
