BC farms that employ seasonal workers have received greater clarity regarding the impact the province’s speculation and vacancy tax could have on their operations. Responding to questions from the Western Agriculture Labour Initiative, BC Ministry of Finance staff clarified the terms under which worker housing might be subject to the tax. The clarification says that …
BC Tree CEO builds team spirit
Building team spirit is high on the agenda of BC Tree Fruits’ new CEO. Todd McMyn joined the co-op on April 1 and recently spoke to Country Life in BC in one of his first media interviews following the announcement of his appointment on April 9. “My short-term goal is to bring the idea of …
Piece rates won’t change – yet
BC’s long-standing piece rate system won’t be overhauled by June 1, as recommended last year by the Fair Wages Commission. BC labour minister Harry Bains endorsed the commission’s recommendation last year that all harvesters be paid minimum wage by June 1, 2019. However, he also said too little was known about the existing system, created …
Young Agrarians goes solo
Young Agrarians is now an independent charity after seven years as an initiative of FarmFolk/CityFolk. The group joined with Agrarians Foundation on April 1. The foundation is a federally registered charity the Small-Scale Food Processors Association launched in 2014 but never fully activated due to a lack of capacity. “The association provides services direct to …
Province prepares for a dry spell
An early start to the wildfire season and low snowpack led to fire restrictions in the Cariboo this week, as the province tries to prevent a third straight year of record wildfires. “Category 3 open fires will be prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre,” the province announced April 9. The ban takes effect at noon …
Colony losses have beekeepers on edge
Reports of colony losses across the province have beekeepers on edge this spring, and government wants to know how bad the problem is. “Victoria wants me to give them details right now and with the help of the inspection staff we have been able to collect a bit of information on colony losses,” provincial apiculturist …