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In keeping with the spirit of protecting the health of all Ontario residents, we request that Ontario remove restrictions on community gardens for the remainder of the Covid-19 Pandemic:

• Gardens will only be open to gardeners, staff assigned to gardens, and official garden volunteers. Gardens will be closed to the public and no gatherings will be permitted until physical distancing measures are lifted. 

• Gardens will adopt the Best Practices for COVID-19 in Community and Allotment Gardens in Toronto and develop site-specific plans to maintain physical distancing and sanitary procedures. Plans will be posted at garden sites and shared with all gardeners. 
   

Rationale:

Gardens have the capacity to maintain the physical distancing and hygiene practices necessary to combat the spread of COVID-19. They can also be powerful channels for educating the public about containment measures.

Community and allotment gardens are important ways for low-income and marginalized people to grow the food they need to stay healthy. 

The Province of Ontario recognized food production as an essential service in its COVID-19 emergency declaration. Both food businesses and non-profit organizations responsible for providing food are exempt from closure.

Public safety can be protected better by addressing breaches of physical distancing protocols when they occur, rather than closing down facilities that are essential services for many people and that can and do demonstrate good practices. 

Other large cities, such as New York, have implemented these protocols, recognizing the importance of community gardens and the ability to maintain public safety. 

Ontario must ensure that its efforts to protect citizens do not negatively impact people living in low incomes communities. We can’t afford to deepen the divisions in our society, particularly during a public health crisis.