An Oliver resident is calling on the Town to write a letter of support for the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) as it undergoes a core review by the provincial government.

Recently, Dwight Brown addressed council requesting that it send a letter to cabinet stating Oliver’s support for maintaining the status quo of the ALC, independent of government control.

Brown referred to the government’s core review that has caused concern about the commission’s future mandate. He said the provincial government seems to think that the ALC’s legislative mandate is too narrow to allow decisions that align with its priority for economic development.

“Bill Bennett (cabinet minister) wants to modernize the ALC to ensure that government’s priorities for economic development are reflected in ALC decisions,” Brown said.

He stated the proposed changes will “dismantle” the commission and move it under the umbrella of the Ministry of Agriculture. It will also change the commission’s mandate, he pointed out.

“The ALC will be required to give equal weight to economic development as well as agriculture.”

Brown said his research shows the proposed changes will create two classes of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). One area will be status quo – Okanagan and Fraser Valley, while the other will cover the Interior, the Kootenays and North Okanagan.

Brown told council the proposal will change what local governments can and can’t do around land use decisions. And it will give the BC Oil and Gas Commission more authority in these decisions.

“The BC Oil and Gas Commission would become the primary authority on deciding whether agricultural land (outside the Okanagan) could be withdrawn for industrial use.”

Brown said the move appears to allow the government to ease the way for resource development in the northeast, where oil and gas development has been in conflict with farmers and ranchers.

Brown has worked in the agricultural sector for more than four decades (about as long as the ALR has been in existence).

Councillor Jack Bennest said if he were to write a letter, he would ask the government to maintain the ALC’s independence as a body not to be interfered with.

Councillor Maureen Doerr made a motion to discuss Brown’s request further before writing a letter.

Lyonel Doherty

Oliver  Chronicle