TORONTO – A private member’s bill from Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae aimed at reducing liability for farm-based tourism operators has passed its third and final reading.
“This piece of legislation helps remove barriers to investment in agritourism across Ontario,” Rae stated in a news release. “Through the Growing Agritourism Act, we’re creating the conditions that give our agribusiness operators the confidence to open up their farms to Ontarians and Canadians and the world.”
The bill, which is expected to receive royal assent this week, requires agritourism operators to warn visitors and participants of the inherent risks of farm activities through a simple sign or contract in order to limit liability.
It “establishes consistency across the sectors and removes a major barrier to investment,” the release stated.
“This legislation is key to the sustainability and growth of agritourism and agriculture in Ontario,” Agritourism Ontario executive director Kevin Vallier stated in the release. “It will provide a layer of protection and peace of mind to farm owners who open their doors to the public.”
