Farm & Forest: heading into 2010

Published in MapleLine Magazine: May 5, 2010

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by John Horgan, MLA for Juan de Fuca

While our mild winter may not have been to everyone’s liking, it certainly bodes well for the spring and summer markets that will be opening very soon. Already, I’ve noticed some farm gate stands selling produce and soon the selection will be even bigger. Strawberries and rhubarb will be ready a few weeks earlier than usual and my mouth is already watering at the thought of delicious pies!

I know many of you are supporters of local farmers, visiting stands and markets throughout the growing season. I only wish our provincial government felt the same way. As you may already know, the current Liberal government provides the lowest proportional spending in support of agriculture in Canada and many feel they treat the Agricultural Land Reserve as a land bank for property developers rather than a resource for future generations.

Late last year, I had the pleasure of touring a number of farms in Metchosin and chatting with farmers about their concerns and issues. I am hopeful that a similar tour can be organized in Sooke. A common theme was the lack of government support for our local farming economy.

One example of this is the sale of locally produced meat to consumers at our region’s farm gates. Building or upgrading an abattoir to the new standards set out by government is extremely expensive and will result in fewer small and medium-scale producers being able to operate. This will have serious consequences for our local economy. To help address this, Nicholas Simons, my colleague from Powell River-Sunshine Coast, introduced a private members bill last year supporting local farmers and consumers. Unfortunately, the Bill did not get discussed in the Legislature. Rather than abandon farmers and their land, I would suggest we need to meet more often with farmers and bring their voice and knowledge to the decision-making tables.

I also wanted to update you on what has been happening with the Western Forest Products Land in and around Sooke and Jordan River. At a public meeting a few weeks ago, over 400 people came together to share their views and ideas about what we could do to keep the pressure on.

Organized by the Jordan River Steering Committee and the Dogwood Initiative, the energy in the room was incredible and I want to thank the organizers for keeping this issue on the public’s agenda.

The Capital Regional District made a bold and decisive move when they recently made an offer, in partnership with The Land Conservancy, to purchase 49 of the 61 parcels. This includes the waterfront from Jordan River to Sandcut Creek and the final pieces of the Sea-to-Sea Greenbelt in the Sooke Hills. Ensuring that these lands will forever be available for public access is a visionary purchase by the CRD.

However, there is more work to be done to save the remaining land. The provincial government is still absent on this file. They have not offered to contribute to the purchase of the protected areas, nor have they signalled their intention to acquire any additional lands for treaty settlements or assist in developing small scale economic development initiatives. Discussions are underway and I remain hopeful that the province will recognize its responsibilities and take significant action to redress the error made when they removed the lands from the TFL in 2007.

None of these lands would have been saved if people hadn’t made their voices heard. Public participation does make a difference!

I would welcome any comments you wish to offer on either of these topics. Please contact my community office at 250-391-2801 or email me at john.horgan.mla@leg.bc.ca . MM

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This article was first published on page 21 in the print edition of MapleLine Magazine (Summer 2010 issue / May-July 2010).