Improved efficiency is the main aim
New ALC boss says farmland preservation not at risk; regulatory changes are ‘just tinkering.’
By Judy Steeves
ew chair of the Agriculture Land Commission in B.C., Frank Leonard, says he is “pretty stubborn” about the Agricultural Land Reserve. “You’ll have to push hard to get farmland out of the ALR.”
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However, Leonard says he is open to ideas about how farmland could be made more viable within the ALR. His mandate from the provincial government is to improve the efficiency of the ALC process and to reduce the backlog of applications.
Leonard says he will consider each application on its merits and, unlike the previous chair, will reconsider applications.
He says he doesn’t filter applications at the front end, but does review them at the back end. To concerns about the six regional panels, he said the provincial ‘lens’ goes on each application before a decision is finalized.
By mid-October, he expects to have a chief executive officer appointed, but until then, he will serve in both roles. Leonard was appointed chair in mid-May, replacing Kelowna orchardist Richard Bullock, who was first appointed in 2010.
Since then, the provincial government has enacted new regulations under the ALC Act which are intended to help B.C. farmers, says Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick. They followed an announcement that the province would be divided into two zones under the ALC, with Zone 2 including the Kootenays and the northern part of the province, where economic, cultural and regional factors can be considered by the ALC in making land use decisions.
Leonard is adamant that this just recognizes the difference in climate and property size in the less-populated areas of B.C. “It’s not a dramatic difference,” he said, adding, “It doesn’t open up the ALR.”
He describes the recent changes to regulations governing the ALC, as “just tinkering.”
“We’re not looking to put non-farm uses on land in the Agricultural Land Reserve,” he said.
He admitted that more enforcement is needed to prevent such illegal uses as parking trucks on farmland. He’s hopeful government might approve an increase in the budget for the ALC to improve its efficiency.
The new regulations announced in mid-June will allow landowners in both zones to lease portions of their land for agricultural production without an application to the ALC.
JUDIE STEEVES
Former Saanich mayor Frank Leonard, appointed last May to replace Kelowna orchardist Richard Bullock as chair and interim CEO of the Agricultural Land Commission.
As well, farmers will be permitted to include all produce provided by members of a co-op in the count as part of the 50 per cent minimum required to be grown on-farm in order for a packing or processing facility to be located on ALR land. Crops produced on other property owned or leased on other parcels may also be included in the calculations now. As well, breweries, distilleries and meaderies may now locate on ALR land on similar terms as wineries, as long as 50 per cent of the farm products used to make the beverage are grown on the farm.
Wineries, cideries, breweries, distilleries and meaderies in the ALR may also now sell alcohol that was not produced on the farm in their restaurants and lounges, subject to the Liquor Control and Licensing Act and local government regulations. However, no retail sales of the other beverages will be allowed.
For retiring farmers living in Zone 2, the new regulations will allow them to continue to live on their farm, once they sell it, with a lease-for-life, from the purchasers. The lease terminates when the retiree leaves or dies.
As well, owners of large ALR parcels in Zone 2 may build a second single family dwelling for either family or rental income on the farm.
Since ending a 28-year run on Saanich council (18 as mayor) in November, Leonard has become chair of Parkbridge Lifestyles Communities (a Calgary-based owner, operator and developer of residential lease communities, recreational resorts and marinas), vice-chair of the Municipal Pension Plan and joined the board of directors for the Victoria Airport Authority. He comes from a family business background, having managed three Victoria-area Kal Tire stores prior to his election as mayor.
British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Fall 2015 17
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