He then did consulting work for the
agriculture industry while the B.C. Agriculture Council was formed. He became executive director of the new farming body in 1998, taking his leave late last year to make his first foray into politics.
From his new perch on the other side
of the fence, Thomson warns, “We won’t get everything we wanted. However, I hope the industry will trust me, in terms of timing.”
He admitted it could be a rough ride for someone who has worked so long on behalf of industry and now finds himself the minister to whom industry looks for solutions.
“I won’t be able to deliver on everything that I fought for when I was on the other side, but I will do my best,” he promised.
“I hope in six months industry will still view me as being in their corner; working on their behalf,” he commented. “I grew up on a farm, so I understand the issues and I’m committed to listen and understand.” Thomson explained he has to work within the caucus to help the others understand industry’s contribution to the province.
He noted that having fellow farmers such as Ben Stewart (elected MLA for Westside-Kelowna and named Minister of Citizens’ Services and Minister responsible for multiculturalism and the Public Affairs Bureau) and John Slater (elected MLA for Boundary- Similkameen and named parliamentary secretary to the environment minister, for water supply and allocation) in caucus, helps to get farmers’ views understood in government. But, the reality is government is currently facing serious fiscal challenges, so Thomson said his first priority will be to ensure that ministry resources are being used as efficiently as possible.
The agriculture portfolio in B.C. is very complex because there’s a very diverse agriculture economy in this province. There are small operations and large operations and they provide a range of products, from grains and meat to horticulture.
In fact, B.C. is probably unique in Canada for its agricultural diversity, which makes it extremely challenging to balance the many different interests— and there’s seldom a one-size-fits-all solution to a problem.
As well, Thomson’s portfolio includes more than just agriculture. Aquaculture, food processing and lands are also part
of his new responsibilities, and he says he has lots to learn about that side of the ministry.
He does have some goals he’d like to achieve, including with regard to the use of waste energy and possible opportunities for farms in earning carbon offsets. Thomson was not optimistic that he
can section off a bigger slice of the provincial budget pie for agriculture at present, but said he wants to work with industry to position it for the future. Harmonization of the provincial sales tax and the federal goods and services
tax could result in an estimated savings of $15 to $16 million to the B.C. agriculture industry, said Thomson, with not only a decrease in the cost of doing business, but also less paperwork. Thomson says it’s been a very busy first few months, including his first session as both an MLA and as a cabinet minister, sitting in the legislature. Although the current session of the
legislature will be adjourned during the Olympic Games, members will be back in the house at the beginning of March, with a provincial budget scheduled to be presented March 2.
adapt, diversifyandgrow!
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Program funding provided by:
British Columbia Berry Grower • Spring 2010
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