Food fighters unite at Honeywood celebration

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Published on Thursday, 22 August 2013 20:51

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Bill Lishman is inviting those who helped stop the megaquarry to join his four decade-long food fight.

Lishman, the first person to fly in formation with birds and the focal point of the 1996 movie Fly Away Home, piloted his ultralight plane to the Food and Water First celebration in Honeywood on Sunday (Aug. 19).

“It was such a lovely day to fly up here. You can’t beat southern Ontario. It’s the most spectacular place in the world as far as I’m concerned,” he said.

Lishman flew from Durham region to Honeywood in an effort to link two farmland battles.

Although known for his aviation efforts, Lishman is also a member of Land Over Landings, a Pickering-based group dedicated to saving farmland from construction of an airport.

“I want you to come down and help us save that land,” Lishman told more than 500 people who joined the celebration. “Foodstock in Pickering would be fantastic.”

The Pickering Airport plan was shelved in 1975. However, the federal government recently announced the airport would be going ahead as planned 40 years ago.

Lishman said the 25,000 acres involved in the project must remain as farmland.

“Some places in the world you can grow five crops per year. Here, you can only grow one. Our land is that much more valuable,” he said.  “We’ve come to a turning point. We must preserve all of our agricultural land.”

Carl Cosack, chair of the North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT), told the crowd their message about protecting farmland is making its way to politicians.

“You are being heard, and there are many people who bring this message to Queen’s Park,” he said.

While Premier Kathleen Wynne, who also serves as Minister of Agriculture, did not accept an invite to the celebration, she sent a letter of appreciation to NDACT.

“I appreciate the passion you all bring to this very important issue,” she wrote. “I believe as premier we can balance our need for aggregate resources while ensuring we protect our farmland.”

Cosack encouraged his fellow farmland advocates to continue similar efforts that led to The Highland Companies to withdraw their Melancthon quarry plans.

“If you think you won a victory, which without a doubt you have, let’s finish the job,” he said. “It’s democracy at is very best. You’ve done it once, lets do it again."

By Bill Tremblay

Published in the Orangeville Banner, August 22, 2013

Click here to see the great photos.

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