New law protects Ontario’s agritourism farms from ‘frivolous’ lawsuits [Video]

Reducing liabilities for farm-based tourism operators is the focus of new legislation.

Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae tabled the Growing Agritourism Act which requires farmers to warn people of the inherent risks of visiting a working farm in Ontario by installing a simple sign or by signing a contract.

Rae says before this legislation, farm operators would be liable under the Ontario Liability Law, every time someone gets hurt while visiting the farm — even if the farmer has done everything possible to mitigate those risks.

“Someone from downtown Toronto may not be wearing the proper footwear. They may come out in stilettos to pick their pumpkins, not necessarily the smartest thing,” he said. “We can’t pave a walkway in every corner of the pumpkin patch.”

“[This legislation] will protect our farm operators from some of those frivolous lawsuits,” Rae explains.