Carole James and the NDP: Standing Up for B.C. Farmland

SURREY—Carole James and the New Democrats are standing up for farmland in B.C., and are calling for the protection of the Agricultural Land Reserve in the interests of all British Columbians.

Speaking at an NDP news conference on Barnston Island, James said there is growing public concern about the integrity of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) under the B.C. Liberal government.

"Under the B.C. Liberals, more agricultural land has been removed from the ALR for private development and private interests than ever before," said James. "And voters are beginning to wonder if the public interest is being served by those decisions."

"We are here today, on Barnston Island, to tell British Columbians that New Democrats will stand up for the public interest and the interests of future generations and protect the quality farmland of the ALR."

Created in 1974, the Agricultural Land Reserve seeks to protect quality farmland from development encroachment. The ALR is managed by the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), and regional panels oversee all requests for addition and exclusion of quality farmland from the reserve.

NDP Agriculture critic Bruce Ralston added that the location of the news conference – Surrey’s own Barnston Island – is no accident. A private developer has applied to remove over 85 percent of Barnston Island lands from the ALR for industrial use.

"Barnston Island is an agricultural jewel," said Ralston. "And there is growing public concern regarding the integrity of the process in the Barnston Island application, which is currently before the Commission."

"John Tomlinson, a known B.C. Liberal friend and insider, is the only member of the South Coast regional panel. And there is little information available as the composition, timeline, duties or responsibilities of this new special panel. This raises serious concerns regarding the openness, transparency and fairness of this process."

"The Opposition will be watching this process closely as it unfolds, and we will continue to press for an open, fair and transparent process for ALR decisions," said Ralston.

Following the press conference, James and Ralston toured a 35-acre family farm belonging to Barnston Island resident and farmer Doug Devitt.