NDP MP Richard Cannings (South Okanagan – West Kootenay) urged the Liberal government on Friday (Feb. 16) to step up and help support grape and fruit farmers in the southern interior of BC following yet another devastating event resulting from climate change.
Cannings referenced what he described as the “now-annual” wildfires which have impacted grapes with smoke taint as well as the extreme cold events that hit Okanagan vineyards two years in a row.
Last year up to 58 per cent of the Okanagan grape vines were damaged in an extreme cold event, a situation that was repeated this January but for far longer, wiping out at least 97 per cent of the crop.
Facing an “almost complete write-off” of the 2024 vintage the BC industry – vineyards, wineries and suppliers – are facing revenue losses of $440-445 million, according to a new report by Cascadia Partners for Wines of British Columbia.
“To add insult to injury, BC farmers have been slapped with punitive action from the Alberta government to halt direct-to-consumer delivery of wine from BC producers,” Cannings said in a statement. He added that he is frustrated to see such bullying behaviour towards these small producers that are already struggling to keep their doors open.
Cannings, who has met with dozens of wineries, underscored how integral winery operations are to the countless livelihoods and the larger regional economy. Cannings rose to speak in Parliament during Question Period, urging the government to act.
Cannings said:
“Everyone knows my riding makes the best wine in Canada. January’s extreme cold snap caused widespread damage to grape and fruit crops for the second year in a row. Some grape growers have experienced 100 per cent loss of their vines.
“On top of that, smoke taint from now-annual forest fires continues to affect many vineyards. Without government help to replant their vines many wineries will be forced to close.
“Will the Minister provide assistance to help BC grape growers and wineries survive climate change?”
