Do the B.C. Liberals Support the Agricultural Land Reserve?

VICTORIA—The B.C. Liberal government needs to tell British Columbians where they stand on the future of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), given comments made against it by B.C. Liberal MLA and agriculture committee member Al Horning.

In comments made yesterday to a local radio station, Horning, the Liberal MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country, said that he has “always been against the ALR.” He went on to refer to the ALR as an “agricultural land freeze” that stands in the way of the province’s economic growth.

“It’s very disturbing to hear these comments from a key member of the government’s own committee on agriculture, whose mandate is to plan for the future of the industry in B.C.,” said Bruce Ralston, MLA for Surrey-Whalley. “I am looking for Agriculture Minister Pat Bell to provide assurances to British Columbians that Mr. Horning does not speak for the government on this issue.”

Ralston added that the integrity of the ALR is an open question under the B.C. Liberals. “Minister Bell was hoping that the recent controversy surrounding the ALR would disappear after a decision had been made on the fate of Barnston Island. He wasn’t expecting to be completely blindsided by his own colleague on this issue.

“British Columbians want government to protect our quality farmland and provide food security for future generations. It is time for the B.C. Liberal government to tell British Columbians where they stand on the future of the ALR, and if they will follow through on that commitment,” Ralston said.