By Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
The Town of Oliver is leaving it up to councillors to decide whether they want to support a resolution to stop cannabis production on agricultural land.
On Monday, council addressed correspondence from the District of Kent Agassiz regarding its support for a moratorium to reduce pressure on agricultural land by not allowing cannabis to be grown on it.
“We concur that valuable farmland should not be consumed by cannabis production facilities,” said Mayor John Van Laerhoven.
Nancy Chapman from Citizens Protecting Agricultural Land (on the Saanich Peninsula) said they are witnessing unprecedented pressure on prime Agricultural Land Reserve lands by cannabis production proposals.
Chapman noted that Central Saanich council passed a motion that requests the establishment of a minimum six-month moratorium on further use of ALR lands to grow cannabis. This will give decision- makers some time to address where these facilities are best suited.
“We strongly encourage you and your council to take action to protect your ALR lands for their best possible use,” Chapman said.
Oliver Town Councillor Dave Mattes said he doesn’t believe the community has a lot of ALR land that applies in this situation.
Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger made a motion to allow members of council to consider supporting this resolution at the Union of BC Municipalities convention this fall.
Council passed that motion.
