Farmers who filed an appeal over delays in constructing the Zettler drain in Brockton have been told their appeal is justified, but the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal lacks jurisdiction to order compensation.
The farmers said delays mean they will be unable to plant crops and they sought compensation.
What the tribunal did do was order Brockton to work faster to obtain permits and begin construction. That was what the lawyer representing the farmers recommended.
The tribunal ordered Brockton to apply for necessary permits from the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority and the federal department of Fisheries and Oceans within 10 days of the tribunal’s decision and “if SVCA requires the engineer’s report to be amended, the respondent municipality shall take all necessary steps to do so without delay.”
The landowners who filed the appeal are Howard, Maxine and Glen Zettler and Gerry and Wilma Sluys and their Sluys Family Farm Inc.
