The nine-member advisory committee appointed last winter to undertake a province-wide consultation and recommend ways to revitalize the Agricultural Land Commission has completed its work. BC Ministry of Agriculture staff confirmed to Country Life in BC that the committee submitted its final report by the end of December, as scheduled. “Ministry of Agriculture staff are …
ALC
ALC crippled while province mulls revitalization
DELTA – Victoria has left the Agricultural Land Commission short of commissioners needed to assess applications while it awaits a report on how to revitalize the province’s protected farmland. Provincial legislation requires the ALC to have at least “at least 13 individuals … knowledgeable in matters relating to agriculture, land use planning, local government or …
Gulf Islands farmers want rules respected
PENDER ISLAND – Bylaws passed by local government shouldn’t pre-empt decisions by the Agricultural Land Commission, the commission’s chair and CEO told a recent meeting of the Islands Trust council. While it may seem to be stating what’s clearly written in section 46 of the Agricultural Land Commission Act, the question is at the heart …
ALC allegations nix Delta farmer’s vision
DELTA – Don Malenstyn has all but given up on his career and passion after losing an appeal of a remediation and stop-work order from the Agricultural Land Commission. “I didn’t think I’d ever say it, but I’m done. This is ridiculous. This is 54 years of my life completely wasted,” he says, surveying the …
New chair appointed to land commission
VICTORIA – The outgoing chair of the Agricultural Land Commission believes it’s in good hands as the province prepares to receive recommendations for its revitalization. The province appointed Frank Leonard chair of the commission in 2015 following the abrupt termination of Richard Bullock. Leonard’s completed his three-year term and his appointment was not renewed. “I …
Province urged to regulate farmhouse size
VANCOUVER – Metro Vancouver’s submission to the nine-member advisory committee appointed to recommend ways to revitalize the Agricultural Land Commission and the lands it oversees has put the issue of farmhouse size at the top of its wish list. The submission, presented to Metro Vancouver’s regional planning committee by Theresa Duynstee, was set to go to …