09fall.qxd 9/18/09 11:36 AM Page 6
Cover Story
H
th
e
e
’
r
s
e
been
done t
,
hat
P
m
r
i
o
n
vince’s new ag
o
i
f ex
ister brings wealth
g
n
o
d
v
u
e
s
perience presenting
rn
tr
m
y’
e
s
n
c
t
a
.
se to
By Judie Steeves
B
ritish Columbia’s newest
agriculture minister is in an
decades as a lobbyist on behalf of
interesting position. After several
agriculture, he now listens as the
various agriculture sectors lobby him.
old Kelowna farm that is still in the
Steve Thomson, raised on a century-
family, was first elected this spring as
MLA for the Okanagan-Mission riding
Kelowna’s Steve Thomson, a longtime lobbyist for farmers, knows the
in his hometown.
challenges that lie ahead on ‘the other side.’
manager for the B.C. Milk Producers
But, in between he served as general will trust me, in terms of timing.” understand industry’s contribution to
and in 1992 became general manager
the province.
for the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association.
for someone who has worked so long
He admitted it could be a rough ride
During that time he was elected
on behalf of industry and now finds such as Ben Stewart (elected MLA for
He noted that having fellow farmers
president of the Kelowna Chamber of
himself the minister to whom industry Westside-Kelowna and named Minister
Commerce and he went on to serve as
looks for solutions. of Citizens’ Services and Minister
chair of the provincial body. everything that I fought for when I was
“I won’t be able to deliver on responsible for multiculturalism and
the Public Affairs Bureau) and John
agriculture industry while the B.C.
He then did consulting work for the on the other side, but I will do my Slater (elected MLA for Boundary-
Agriculture Council was formed. He
best,” he promised. Similkameen and named parliamentary
became executive director of the new
secretary to the environment minister,
farming body in 1998, taking his leave
still view me as being in their corner;
“I hope in six months industry will
for water supply and allocation) in
late last year to make his first foray into
working on their behalf,” Thomson
politics.
added. “I grew up on a farm, so I
caucus, helps to get farmers’ views
understand the issues and I’m
understood in government.
warns, “We won’t get everything we
From his new perch, Thomson committed to listen and understand.” currently facing serious fiscal
But, the reality is, government is
6
wanted. However, I hope the industry within the caucus to help the others
Thomson explained he has to work challenges, so Thomson said his first
priority will be to ensure that ministry
British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Fall 2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32