The B.C. Agriculture Plan

Appendix C: The Committee Process

The Premier of British Columbia appointed Delta South MLA Val Roddick to the newly created position of Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Planning in June 2005. In February 2006, the Minister of Agriculture and Lands announced that five MLAs would be joining the Parliamentary Secretary to conduct focused consultations with British Columbians on how to further enhance the agriculture industry. The B.C. Agriculture Plan Committee members were:

  • Val Roddick (Committee Chair), Delta South MLA
  • Harry Bloy, Burquitlam MLA
  • Ron Cantelon, Nanaimo-Parksville MLA
  • Al Horning, Kelowna-Lake Country MLA
  • Blair Lekstrom, Peace River South MLA
  • Joan McIntyre, West Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA

The mandate of the committee process, as established in the terms of reference, was as follows:

  • Increasing public awareness, understanding and support of the food production system in British Columbia.
  • Establishing a long-term vision for agriculture that will sustain and facilitate the growth and diversification of the agriculture sector.
  • Encouraging the active participation of First Nations in the agriculture sector.
  • Enhancing the contributions agriculture provides to British Columbia’s vibrant economy, environment and quality of life.

The B.C. Agriculture Plan Committee began its fulsome public consultation process in June 2006. The committee heard from a wide range of stakeholders on their concerns and ideas about the future of agriculture and the food-supply system. The committee travelled the province, holding the following regional public input sessions:

  • Dawson Creek, June 19, 2006
  • Kelowna, June 21, 2006
  • Cranbrook, September 6, 2006
  • Vanderhoof, September 25, 2006
  • Abbotsford, September 22, 2006
  • Williams Lake, September 26, 2006
  • Kamloops, September 28, 2006
  • Granville Island, Vancouver, October 20, 2006
  • Nanaimo, November 21, 2006
  • Sidney, November 22, 2006

In addition, the committee toured over 30 different agricultural operations from across the value chain. Hundreds of written submissions were received through the committee’s website, by e-mail and mail. The committee held numerous discussions with agencies from all levels of government including the Union of B.C. Municipalities; producer, processor and retail organizations from across the province; and many other interest groups.

The committee’s proposals were then used as the basis for further discussions with representatives of the province’s major producer and processor organizations, the B.C. Agriculture Council and B.C. Food Processors Association.

The public forums, meetings and written input resulted in high quality presentations, submissions and briefs that provided invaluable input. The B.C. Agriculture Plan: Growing a Healthy Future for B.C. Families is the synthesis of the ideas, recommendations and insights received.