A new survey suggests that not only does the greenhouse vegetable-growing sector enjoy wide support, but residents also have expectations for how it participates in its communities.
The research highlights a clear opportunity for candidates in this fall's municipal elections to commit to balanced, forward-thinking policies that support growth and community priorities, and engage with the greenhouse sector.
The survey was conducted by Campaign Research in Kingsville and Chatham-Kent between April 9 and April 17.
It found 91 per cent of Chatham-Kent residents agree the greenhouse sector provides their community with a net benefit. In Kingsville, the result was 92 per cent.
However, 92 per cent of respondents also think local governments should actively guide and support greenhouse and agricultural development.
"The greenhouse sector is not just an agricultural sector. It is one of the economic engines that helps sustain families, businesses, and community services across the region," said Executive Director of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, Richard Lee. "As the greenhouse sector continues to expand, we recognize that growth must go hand-in-hand with community dialogue and responsible planning."
Nine in ten respondents agree the greenhouse sector creates meaningful employment, 92 per cent believe it's important to their community's long-term future, and 97 per cent support Ontario or Canadian-grown produce.
Almost a third of respondents also identified environment, pollution, and resource use as a top concern. Other concerns identified in the survey include job and economic impacts and labour-related issues.
"These findings reinforce that support for greenhouse agriculture comes with an expectation of accountability," added Lee. "We are committed to listening, improving, and working collaboratively with communities to ensure our growth reflects local values."
The survey is considered accurate with a margin of error of +/- 4.6 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
