ALR is for farming, not mega-homes or construction waste

When it comes to protecting farmland, the choice is obvious and the rationale is simple: the best farmland in our province should be used to grow food, not for mega-mansions and illegal garbage dumps.

Over the last 15 years, pressures on our farmland were allowed to grow, driving the cost of land out of reach for farmers, discouraging people from joining the profession and investing in food production, and allowing our valuable farmland to be damaged or lost, often permanently. We’re fixing that.

On Nov. 5, I introduced legislation that protects the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and makes it clear that farmland in the ALR is meant for farming. The legislation addresses mega-mansions and speculation in the ALR so farmers can get onto the land and bring it into production. It cracks down on dumping construction waste and fill to protect our valuable, arable soil, and it reinstates one zone for all ALR land in British Columbia to make it clear that the entire ALR benefits from the same strong protection.

The number of mansions and lifestyle estates on ALR land in urban areas has steadily increased in recent years, inflating farmland prices and preventing new, often younger farmers from growing food. In April 2018, it was reported that after a new mega mansion was built on a nearly 20 acre lot assessed at $85,000, it was sold for $9.2 million. That’s more than $465,000 per acre, putting that land far out of reach for farmers.

By setting a maximum house size of 500 square metres (approximately 5,400 square feet) throughout the ALR, our government is putting a stop to the speculation and building of mega-mansions on our most valuable farmland.

The change does not affect existing houses. Multi-generational farming families who live together and work their land will also still be able to build larger homes if needed through application to the ALC. Mega-mansions on the ALR were one of the main concerns we’ve heard from British Columbians expressed to an independent committee tasked with reviewing how we could revitalize the ALR and the ALC, and it is one on which the government is delivering.

British Columbians are also concerned about the illegal dumping of construction waste on the ALR. The damage of truckload after truckload of waste is often permanent, putting land out of production. This year alone, the ALC has dealt with 191 cases related to fill — 45% of all their compliance and enforcement files. Fill dumping can range from anywhere from eight truckloads to hundreds of thousands of truckloads on a single piece of land. At between $50 and $200 per truckload, you can see why some people find it more lucrative to farm fill rather than food.

Under the new bill, dumping construction waste and other damaging substances on farmland will be prohibited, with strong penalties and new tools for enforcement. New offences for illegal fill and soil removal have been created under the new act with maximum penalties of $1 million or six months imprisonment for a first offence.

The return to one zone throughout the ALR will result in all land in the reserve being protected equally, with one set of decision-making criteria focused on preserving the ALR and encouraging farming and ranching. Farmers who wish to supplement their income through non-farming activities on their land will still be able to apply to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) to do so. British Columbians support this approach, and so do B.C. farmers, with both the B.C. Agriculture Council and family farms championing a one-zone system in which all land in the ALR receives the same protection.

There’s more work to come. This is all part of our government's ongoing commitment to revitalize the ALR and the ALC to protect farmland and farming in British Columbia. The old government allowed pressures on our farmland to grow.  For too long, people have used the ALR for mega-mansion estate-living and as illegal garbage dumps, but we're changing that.

Our government is making it clear that farmland in the ALR is for British Columbians who farm it and support prosperity in our communities, and whose hard work will let us all put fresh, local food on our tables for years to come.

Monthly Micro-Actions: The Last Plastic Straw

*MLA’s note* I’m so happy to introduce Laska Paré! Laska is one of our amazing constituents in Saanich South, and is also a monthly guest blogger on my website! She writes about tips on small changes we can make in our day-to-day lives to encourage us to live more sustainably. Read on below to find out more! -Lana  

Some things in life have become the norm; being handed a paper receipt upon making a purchase or getting a plastic straw when you order a drink at a restaurant. But what are all of these ubiquitous norms leading too? Millions of gallons of oil and trees and billions of gallons of water being consumed.. And for what? A small piece of paper most people don’t want and a bendy plastic tube used for an average of 20 minutes (or less). Just because it’s become “the norm” doesn’t mean it’s free from major hidden consequences.

The Plastic Drinking Straw

Humans have been using “drinking tubes” for over 7,000 years[1].  In the 1880s, gentlemen sipped their whiskey through long tubes made of natural rye that lent a grassy flavor to whatever drink they plopped in. In the 1900’s when polio was rampant, soda fountains offered paper straws to prevent contact with shared glasses.[2] But then came the 1950’s. With the popularization of cars, the quick-meal revolution emerged which included the creation of low-cost disposable packaging: Long and behold the plastic straw was born!

Disposable plastic straws are not recyclable. One study published earlier this year estimated as many as 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute the world's beaches[3], and none of the commonly used plastics are biodegradable. As a result, they accumulate, rather than decompose, in landfills or the natural environment.

The environment is not just one little piece of the world’s puzzle. It's what every single thing in our life depends upon!

Maybe you’ve heard of food vendors and restaurants offering compostable plastics, such as straws and cutlery.. Within the market of consumer plastics is the growing industry of bioplastics – plastics made from plant biomass, such as corn. As marketable as biodegradable and compostable plastics are, there’s often more to these claims than meets the eye. Consumers often mistakenly assume these plastics will decompose in a reasonable time frame but for this to happen the bioplastics require the ‘right’ environment for them to decompose, e.g. the infrastructure. As well, this solution assumes that all the bioplastics actually find their way to the industrial facility which is unlikely.

Biodegradable plastics don’t make all that much sense in a long-term context. Plastic is a complex, highly refined synthetic material — why create something that requires a significant amount of energy to manufacture, only to have it disappear forever into the soil? Seems like a large consumption of resources for a short-term gain.

Micro-Actions For November

We can all vote with how we choose to spend our dollars, but some companies will always have more dollars than you. I encourage you to vote with your voice! Ask for “no straw” wherever straws are served, and don’t be afraid to tell restaurants and bars you frequent to only serve straws upon request. Very likely, you’ve been hearing more and more about cities and companies banning plastic straws, and Vancouver is going to be the first major city in Canada to ban plastic straws[4]. This is because awareness of the wastefulness of plastic straws has increased thanks to people taking a stand and saying “no” to using plastic straws. While we wait for city hall to declare Victoria as the second city to ban plastic straws in Canada, Mayor Lisa Helps encourages citizens to take a ban in their own lives on single-use items because it’s pretty easy to do if you just give it a little bit of thought[5]. 

 

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[1] https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/11/the-amazing-history-and-the-strange-invention-of-the-bendy-straw/248923/

[2] http://blogs.worldwatch.org/plastic-straws-a-life-cycle/

[3] http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/7/e1700782.full

[4] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-vancouver-to-be-first-major-canadian-city-to-ban-plastic-straws/

[5] http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/victoria-eyes-ban-on-foam-containers-plastic-drinking-straws-1.23309405

2018 Referendum on Electoral Reform

Drop by the Saanich South Constituency Office today to pick up a copy of the Voters Guide for the 2018 Referendum on Electoral Reform!


206-4243 Glanford Avenue

A busy week!

It’s definitely been busy down at the Legislature this past week, but I feel so lucky to have had a bit of time in and around Saanich as well!


Over the past 48 hours I was lucky to attend (or my amazing staff were, in a few cases where I had a scheduling conflict) the Friends of Braefoot Gala Dinner (with Minister Rob Fleming), the Prospect Lake Community Association AGM, a grant-writing workshop my community office co-organized with Ministers Fleming and Carole James, a celebration of Farm To School Month at Colquitz Middle School and the opening of therapeutic recovery community in View Royal (with Minister Judy Darcy and MLA Mitzi Dean)!


Hope everyone has a great start to their weekend, and thanks to everyone who helped to make all of these events such a success!

 

Saanich South Seed Bank and Exchange

Join me as I launch the opening of of my new seedbank in our community office!

BC has an active community of organic vegetable seed growers, small-scale seed companies, and seed libraries - all of which contribute to maintaining genetic diversity for BC agriculture. Chris Thoreau of FarmFolk CityFolk will present an overview of seed production in BC and explores the potential of a thriving organic seed sector for BC.

You are welcome to bring a package of seeds to exchange for another.

Hope to see(d) you there!

Lana

Monthly Micro-Actions: Think At the Sink

*MLA’s note* I’m so happy to introduce Laska Paré! Laska is one of our amazing constituents in Saanich South, and is also a monthly guest blogger on my website! She writes about tips on small changes we can make in our day-to-day lives to encourage us to live more sustainably. Read on below to find out more! -Lana  

As much as we’d like to believe our sinks are bottomless monster mouths; hungry to eat up anything and everything we feed them, they’re not and shouldn’t be used that way. The more food, fats, oils, grease and household hazardous waste we put down the drain or through the garbage disposal, the more impact they will have on our sewer lines, wastewater treatment systems, not to mention create environmental and public health hazards.

 

Maybe you’re reading this as you plunge your drain filled with last night’s spaghetti.. And there you stand, Drano in hand, ready to treat the buildup. STOP NOW and KEEP READING.

 

Did you know the active ingredient in Drano and other conventional drain cleaners is sodium hydroxide, otherwise known as caustic soda or lye? While the substance is not considered a pollutant, sodium hydroxide is an irritant that can burn skin and aggravate the nose, throat and respiratory airways[1].

 

A better option to putting chemicals down the drain would be to use a plunger, a drain snake (made from an old wire hanger) or a handful of baking soda mixed with a half cup of vinegar followed with boiling water, this typically does the trick!

 

Fighting the Impossible

 

Even top of the line strainers won’t stop every coffee ground or apple seed from going down the drain, but we need to do our best. Sinks are not trash cans and weren’t designed for this purpose. Clogged pipes and backed-up sewers are expensive repairs.  It doesn't matter how much hot water or Drano you pour down after it. Sooner or later it solidifies. Metro Vancouver residents spend $2 million every year to repair damage caused by grease. And that's not counting the costs to individual homeowners when their pipes get blocked.[2]

 

With the new Wastewater Treatment Project currently being built to serve the core municipalities of Saanich, Victoria, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, View Royal, Langford and Colwood, and the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, it’s important to start developing good habits NOW so we can keep the operations and maintenance costs low.

 

Micro-Actions For October

 

We all need to do our part to help keep the wastewater process running smoothly. The next time you’re at you’re sink THINK, and consider how you can apply these suggestions and support a smooth running system:

 

• Scrape food residues from plates, pots & pans before washing
• Never put coffee grounds, eggshells or kitty litter down the drain or toilet
• Use your garbage disposal sparingly
• Put fruit & vegetables peels in the ‘organics’ bin
• Collect excess fats & oils in a jar. Once settled, scoop into organics bin.
• Dispose of household hazardous waste at the Hartland Landfill, HHW Collection Centre. The materials are then packed into containers and transported to the lower mainland and sent to the appropriate facilities for treatment or disposal.

 

 

 

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[1] https://www.thoughtco.com/eco-friendly-drain-cleaners-1203933

[2] http://www.metrovancouver.org/grease

Addressing Homelessness in Saanich

People experiencing homelessness, including those who were living at the Regina Park encampment in Saanich, will have earlier access to safe shelter spaces in Victoria starting in October 2018.
Overnight shelter will be available every night, regardless of whether an extreme weather alert has been issued.


In response to the urgent need for shelter spaces in Saanich and Victoria, the Province has partnered with the Victoria Native Friendship Centre to provide expanded services... to make sure more people have a warm place to stay overnight.

Located at 231 Regina Ave. in Victoria, the 25-bed shelter will be open nightly from 9 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. from Oct. 1, 2018, until March 31, 2019. This is normally an extreme-weather shelter location, but is being opened early due to urgent need. The friendship centre will provide shuttle services from predetermined pick up points, meals, showers and access to laundry facilities on site.
BC Housing is working with other non-profit partners to expedite the opening of other winter shelters as soon as possible.

 Outreach teams will continue to help connect people experiencing homelessness with housing and support services, such as income assistance and mental health services.


Quick Facts:
To help address homelessness in B.C., the Province is partnering with 22 municipalities to build more than 2,000 modular homes with 24/7 support services.


Through the new Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund, an additional 2,500 new supportive homes will be delivered throughout the province. The District of Saanich has been offered funding through this program.

 The Province is currently developing a homelessness action plan informed by the results of the 2018 homeless counts, the comprehensive consultation on the Poverty Reduction Strategy and engagements with experts on homelessness from around British Columbia.


Learn More:


Read Homes for B.C., government’s 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British Columbians: bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2018/homesbc/2018_Homes_For_BC.pdf


To learn more about the Province’s emergency shelter program, visit: www.bchousing.org/…/homelessness-…/emergency-shelter-program


To see a map of permanent and temporary shelters in B.C., visit: www.bchousing.org/Options/Emergency_Housing/Map

On behalf of my colleague Minister Selina Robinson, I am honored to announce today that affordable rental homes for seniors, adults with disabilities, and families are now under construction in Saanich. Thanks to a partnership between the Government of British Columbia and the Capital Region Housing Corporation.

Westview, located at 3816 Carey Rd, will provide 73 affordable rental homes for people in Saanich and the Capital Regional District. The four-storey building will contain 11 studio apartments, 38 one-bedroom apartments, 20 two-bedroom apartments and four three bedroom apartments.

I’m thrilled to have these homes break ground in Saanich. By investing in more affordable projects like Westview, our government is working hard so people can live and stay in their communities, close to family and where they work. Our government will continue working to fix problems and get results for people, to create a better future for everyone.

I know these homes will enrich the lives of those who live here, and the community for many years to come.

More information:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018MAH0115-001702

Monthly Micro-Actions: No Excuse for Single-Use

Written by: Laska Pare

 According to Zero Waste Canada, coffee is the most common beverage after water for adults.[1] Whether you drink coffee, tea or a Triple-Venti-Half Sweet-Caramel Macchiato, most of it is served in single-use paper cups. We all want quality and crave convenience. But what about saving money, spending less and reducing landfill waste?

Did you know:

• Disposable paper cups contain 5% polyurethane plastic, making composting and recycling of disposable cups extremely tricky
• 70% of the world’s paper comes from diminishing forests, not from plantations or recycling
• Very little recycled paper is used to make disposable cups due to health risk concerns

** “Did you know FACTS provided by ecoffee cup

A huge problem with “to go” is where the coffee cup is travelling and what we do with it when we no longer want it. Recycling across BC is dynamic and site specific, and this can lead to confusion and frustration when you're trying to do the right thing. The average number of steps someone will carry garbage is twelve paces[2]. As much as everyone would like to be an environmental steward, many consumers are unwilling to carry the cup until they find a recycling, composting or disposal options, and providing these options on city streets, in malls, at beaches, and in parks has a cost.

While most communities have “to go” options for take-out, not every community has the options to deal with the discards. But as consumers, it is the decisions we make that will make a difference.

Micro-Actions For September

No. 1: Support local businesses who offer green alternatives. Some local businesses in Greater Victoria offer low-impact, compostable cups.

No. 2: Many municipalities DO accept paper cups in the curbside recycling collection program as containers (not as paper). But it’s rare the discarded cup travels back to the consumer’s home to be placed in the recycling.

No. 3: Get a reusable mug! If we really want to avoid creating waste, we have to make conscious changes in our behaviours. Using a reusable mug is a great start and a micro way you can make a difference. In this video, which aired on Shaw TV earlier this year, I explore the single-use cup issue in Greater Victoria and talk about how you can contribute to a sustainable future.

As consumers, it is us who need to lead the way to reducing and reusing. Now realizing the impact of disposable cups we have to be the ones to create change.

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[1] http://zerowastecanada.ca/the-brewing-problem-of-the-to-go-coffee-cup/

[2] http://zerowastecanada.ca/the-brewing-problem-of-the-to-go-coffee-cup/

It's the last day of August...

It's the last day of August which for me feels like the last day of Summer. This Summer has definitely had its challenges and it has also had absolute successes. I was incredibly fortunate over the past few months to travel in our province meeting with farmers and producers. Our agriculture sector always makes time to have a chat and to let me know what's going on.

We are now moving into the Fall which will see us head into the Legislature on October 1st and I'm really excited about the opportunities and work that is ahead!

Have I told you how thrilled I am to be your Minister of Agriculture?

Organic food and beverage products sold in B.C. must be certified

As of Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, people can buy British Columbia food products and beverages that are marketed as organic with more confidence, knowing that the products have been certified through an accredited provincial or federal program.


“People are more engaged then ever with how their food is grown and processed,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture. “Requiring certification for the use of the term ‘organic’ for the sales of B.C. foods and beverages means producers... are able to offer British Columbians an increased level of certainty about the farming and processing practices of their products.”

https://news.gov.bc.ca/17920


#BuyBC

Joint statement on wildfires in BC

Federal Agriculture Minister MacAulay and I issued a joint statement on British Columbia wildfires on Friday.

I feel confident that Minister MacAulay and I will continue to work closely together as we support ranchers and farmers in the face of this challenging wildfire season.


From: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Statement
...

August 23, 2018 – Nanaimo, British Columbia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the BC Ministry of Agriculture
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay, and Minister of Agriculture for British Columbia, Lana Popham, issued the following statement today in response to the British Columbia wildfires.
“The Governments of Canada and British Columbia are working closely together to ensure the safety of Canadians during this difficult time. In addition to other actions being taken by both our governments, officials are monitoring the wildfires and the potential impacts on farms.
“A suite of federal-provincial-territorial business risk management programs is available to help farmers manage risks that threaten the viability of their farm, including disaster situations. We encourage farmers to participate in these programs to help ensure they can access support during these difficult times.
“Having been farmers ourselves, our thoughts go out to the farm families who have been affected by the wildfires. In British Columbia and across Canada, our hardworking farmers are the backbone of our economy. We are committed to supporting them at this difficult time as they work hard to get their safe, high-quality products to our kitchen tables.”

Royal BC Museum Macabee Fossil Event

I had a lovely time speaking at the Royal BC Museums unveiling of a collection of Fossils donated by John Leahy and family. John was a teacher in Kamloops and his collection will now help spark an interest in future paleontologists. An amazing example of BC Heritage right here in Victoria! The Royal BC Museum has gratefully accepted this donation of the world's largest collection from the McAbee Fossil Beds. The collection is comprised of over 18,000 pieces.



What would your choice be for a “Provincial Fossil?” Vote now until the end of November!
Add your vote at bit.ly/2o336Wv

Provincial State of Emergency Declared

Our government has declared a state of emergency to make sure we have all of the resources necessary to keep British Columbians safe.

With over 560 fires now burning, BC continues to experience heightened wildfire activity, and there are over 3300 personnel now supporting wildfire response efforts. My deepest gratitude and appreciation to everyone who is working to contain the wildfires and caring for those who have been affected.

To prepare your farm for emergencies, start here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/business-market-development/emergency-preparedness

No matter where you are in the province, please remain vigilant – it’s imperative that we each do our part to prevent wildfires. Please click here to read the full news release from earlier today

Nuts about Hazelnuts!!

Many of you will know how much I've been chatting up hazelnut production in our Province over the past 10 years! This Summer I was able to launch a hazelnut revitalization project from my Ministry with hopes to relaunch an industry that has so much potential. 

Guess who noticed my enthusiasm? 

A company you will know as Ferrero who makes many sweet treats including Ferrero Rocher chocolates, Nutella and Kinder Surprise! Hazelnuts are very important to their operations and so today I met with Jorge Acevedo from Ferrero Luxembourg and Barb Yates who works for Ferrero as a Hazelnut Agronomist. Looking forward to our follow up meetings to come!

Report from Committee for Revitalizing the ALR and ALC Received!

I’m happy to share that the independent Minister’s Advisory Committee for Revitalizing the Agricultural Land Reserve and Agricultural Land Commission has submitted its interim report!

I’m so thankful to the members of the Advisory Committee for their hard work, and I’m looking forward to reviewing their recommendations. Committee members did significant work to engage British Columbians in the development of these recommendations, and this report is an important contribution to the conversation we’ve been having in our province to build a strong and resilient agricultural sector for generations to come.

The committee identified 13 recommendations for legislative and regulatory change, 4 recommendations for action to protect the ALR, and 14 key issues still under consideration for its final report.

The committee also submitted a second “what we heard” report that summarizes the findings from stakeholder meetings and public engagement that occurred over multiple months. You can access both documents by clicking here! 

-Lana 

Great Times at Saanich Sunday Farmers' Market!

I had so much fun at the Saanich Sunday Farmers' Market this past weekend! Not only did I end up with a big bag of amazing produce and goods from the market (including the bag itself!) but we also passed out some #BuyBC swag as well! If you haven't been able to check it out this year there are still 3 more market days left this season - I highly recommend you stop by!

                 

Awesome News for Agricultural Innovation!

It was so awesome to be at Kwantlen Polytechnic University to announce one of the coolest things ever: a new research farm and seed lab!!

Our government is investing $670,000 to fund world-class research and innovation that will help local organic farmers grow sustainable and healthy food options for British Columbians to enjoy.

This funding will help farmers develop better seeds, crops and growing methods. More importantly, it will lead to more healthy, nutritious food that’s grown right here in BC and produced sustainably!

The research farm is going to be 8.1 hectares – bigger than 15 football fields put side-by-side! I truly can’t wait to see the amazing work comes out of this new facility.

For even more details you can visit the following link: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018JTT0035-001493

New additions to our team!

So excited to update you with some new additions to our team! Many of you folks already know Maureen Rogers as one of my amazing Constituency Assistants, and I'm super happy to let you know that Ravi Parmar has joined our community office as a full-time Constituency Assistant as well!

Also pictured are Sam Godfrey (one of my amazing Ministerial Assistants) and Chris Wieczorek, my fantastic interim Executive Assistant. Whether it's constituency or ministerial work I'm so happy to have these guys (and so many more!) on my team!

Monthly Micro-Actions: Plastic Alternatives

*MLA’s note* I’m so happy to introduce Laska Paré! Laska is one of our amazing constituents in Saanich South, and is also a monthly guest blogger on my website! She writes about tips on small changes we can make in our day-to-day lives to encourage us to live more sustainably. Read on below to find out more! -Lana 

No one knows exactly how much plastic waste ends up in the ocean. A 2018 National Geographic article featured this estimate made by an engineering professor: somewhere between 5.3 million and 14 million tons each year just from coastal regions[1]. While that’s a distressing estimate, the fact is the problem persists and not every location has the infrastructure to recycle. And while recycling may seem commonplace, it is important to remember that the first R is to REDUCE.

“But I can only reuse my toothbrush for so long and this is a hygienic necessity that I can’t reduce or eliminate.” Of course, we don’t want you reusing your one toothbrush forever, so the question then becomes how can I REDUCE the waste that comes from the products I use?

Remember, just because we recycle doesn’t mean it makes it to the recycling station or gets turned into something new and useable. This is why we have to explore the opportunity to reduce everyday plastics, like toothbrushes!

Did you know a person may use 160 toothbrushes over their lifetime? And that’s just the result of 1 person using 1 instrument. There are over 7 billion people in the world, most of which brush their teeth with a typical plastic toothbrush. That’s 160 toothbrushes X 7,000 000 000 000 people totaling… Yikes!!

The good news is alternative solutions to plastic are popping up everywhere and are becoming more readily accessible.

Bamboo for the Win

Switching to a bamboo toothbrush means not only reducing plastic but utilizing a product made from the fastest growing plant on the planet. Bamboo is known to grow over 4 feet a DAY in the right conditions; as such, it’s considered a sustainable resource.

My journey to reduce plastic in my life began with a toothbrush realization I had while living in Hong Kong. In this video, which aired on Shaw TV earlier this year, I share details about my Zero Waste journey and highlight companies doing great work by offering plastic-free alternatives for consumers. 

Micro-Action For August

We’re addicted to plastic at a planetary scale, and solving the plastic problem will be incredibly challenging on a global level. We can, however, REDUCE our dependence on plastic at an individual level.

This month, when you go to the store to make a purchase consider if there’s a plastic free-alternative available. Thanks to Smartphones, you can do a quick Google search in the store and learn about the options available to you. 

Also, feel free to Email Us if you’d like to know of a plastic alternative to something you use every day! I’m happy to address reader feedback in my next blog.

Laska

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[1] https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/06/plastic-planet-waste-pollution-trash-crisis/

A Coffee Break to Remember...

It’s been a really busy week – from representing our government at the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region’s 2018 Summit in Spokane, Washington to touring farms and orchards around Oliver, BC – but I was so grateful to find a few moments to have coffee with the indomitable Corky Evans.

For those of you who don’t know, Corky served ten years as an MLA and held several different cabinet positions over his time in office… including as Minister of Agriculture!

And just in case you were wondering about what Agriculture Ministers do once they leave office, this is Corky processing garlic on his farm during our visit this morning! Even after a few years out of politics his passion for agriculture and our province’s food security is still as strong as ever.

Thanks for the chat, Corky.

New Campsites for Parks Day!

Today is Canada’s Parks Day, and visitors to BC Parks and forestry recreation sites have an additional reason to celebrate: we’ve added 431 new campsites throughout the province!

Folks within Saanich South and from all around the province are certainly passionate about spending time in our world-class provincial parks. Our parks system – the third largest in North America, behind only the United States’ National Park Service and Parks Canada – receives an astounding 21 million visits a year!

The new campsites have been added in areas with the highest demand, which includes Vancouver Island. Along with the new campsites, existing facilities and infrastructure have also been upgraded in many campgrounds.

Still trying to plan a last-minute summer getaway? Of the 10,700 campsites BC Parks manages 55% are reservable, while the other 45% remain on a first-come, first-served basis! You can visit the BC Parks link below to find out more!

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/