Citizens for Agricultural Land

Reform

A solution for sustainabilityfor

the Agricultural Land Reserve

68247 77711

350927400885

280210

333859 327405

501072

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

Peace River RD &Northern Rockies

RM

Central & NOkanagan &Okanagan

Similkameen

Fraser Valley Capital & Cowichan

Population Increase 2009 - 2019

PROPOSAL 5-year moratorium on Agricultural Land

Reserve east of the Rockies Review at the end of 4 years If it’s working – abolition of the Agricultural

Land Reserve east of the Rockies

Area included & excluded from ALR by Regional District 1974 to Dec. 2010

The amount of prime land has declined

Agricultural Capability of ALR has declined since 1974

Site C – 4612 ha

87% is Class 1, 2, or 3

Site C Flooding 4612 ha

Class 1

Class 2

Class 3

Class 4

Class 5

The ALC creates inequities Between land

owners Between

businesses Between tax

payers Between BC and

AB

Section 6 – Purpose of ALC The following are the purposes of the

commission: (a) to preserve agricultural land; (b) to encourage farming on agricultural land in

collaboration with other communities of interest; (c) to encourage local governments, first nations,

the government and its agents to enable and accommodate farm use of agricultural land and uses compatible with agriculture in their plans, bylaws and policies.

Rolla 1974

Rolla 2010

Where have all the farm families gone?

Saddle Hills County 1. Agriculture is the most important land use in the

rural area2. Development and growth shall be directed to

appropriate locations3. Residential growth and country residential

subdivision shall be encouraged4. Economic diversity shall be promoted5. The integrity of environmentally sensitive areas

and open spaces shall be protected6. The transportation system shall be safe and

convenient

What Saddle Hills is doing right…In its Agricultural Policy area Uses a rating system that distinguishes

“better” agricultural land Allows “farmstead separation” Permits 1 vacant subdivision on “better”

ag land Permits 3 subdivisions on other ag land Allows major and minor home business Promotes viability of settlements, hamlets

ALC discriminates against BC business

BC, AB & SK have committed to

Treat businesses, investors and workers of the two provinces at least as favourably as they treat their own or those of another jurisdiction.

Mutually recognize or otherwise reconcile unnecessary differences in their standards and regulations.

Key Points ALC failed as a steward of farm land – decline in all

critical food growing areas of BC – and public misled Farmers treated as criminals when they participate in oil

and gas service industry ALC is destroying rural communities and family farms by

its strident stand against subdividing off small home site parcels.

ALC discriminates against BC business in contravention of NWPTA

We are willing to manage our own agricultural land through local governance

Our proposal will allow ALC to refocus where need is greatest

Questions?????