With each new cabinet appointment comes a letter from the Premier that outlines the priority areas for the respective minister to focus on. With the return of the Honourable Lana Popham to the Ministry of Agriculture, her ability to work with civil servants and programs that she already knows well means that we will benefit from a more rapid implementation of the items in the mandate letter.

Many of the specific items in Minister Popham’s mandate letter align well with our work and priorities. Without a land base, agriculture cannot thrive. The existence of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) has helped to ensure that the scarce farmland in our province has been largely protected from other uses since it was first implemented in 1973. Competition for accessible, well-drained land is fierce, particularly in heavily populated regions, and BC’s ALR is lauded around the world as a model that preserves land for food production. It is heartening to see the support for the ALR’s core function in the Mandate letter, linked to the viability of farms and a secure food supply for BC residents.

Export market opportunities are included in the mandate letter, including expanding trading partners beyond our neighbour to the south. Yet domestic production for BC residents is also noted, recognizing that having robust and resilient foodsheds with local food readily available contributes significantly to our collective and long-term food security.

Minister Popham will enjoy the benefits of having a Parliamentary Secretary, MLA Harwinder Sandhu, who comes from a farming family and is based in the Okanagan. Ms Sandhu’s focus is on integrating the voices of food producers in the development of policy, advancing opportunities for Indigenous food security, and supporting young people who want to get into farming.

This mandate letter and current turbulent times make it clear that democracy is not a spectator sport: we all must participate in the day-to-day community interactions that help to identify and formulate policy that serves us all collectively; a reliable food supply and agricultural economy. Each political leader is increasingly faced with unprecedented situations that necessitate a decision. They can make the best decisions when they are guided by thoughtful contributions from their citizens.

By Abra Brynne, Policy Advisor