JUNE 2017 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC A national voice for greenhouse growers


BC, Ontario growers work to address common issues


by PETER MITHAM SURREY – A work plan lush


with activities was the centrepiece of the BC Greenhouse Growers Association annual meeting in Surrey on April 21, but one item receiving special attention was the formation of a national working group at the Canadian Horticultural Council.


While the working group


involves industry members from across Canada, and represents an evolution from the industry’s former standing committee (complete with a paid staff person), a linch-pin of the working group is BC’s relationship with the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers. “We’re working more and


more with the OGVG,” said Ray Van Marrewyk, noting the importance of the partnership in addressing common issues, particularly energy costs and raising public awareness of the industry. “It’s trying to work together as an entire group, and realize that we have to promote the industry.” The relationship has been


growing in recent years but has taken on new urgency in view of plans by Ottawa and various provinces to introduce carbon pricing schemes similar to the carbon tax in BC. Greenhouse growers in BC successfully fought for a rebate of the BC tax, a concession reflecting greenhouse growers’ reliance on cheap sources of carbon dioxide for their operations. Ontario’s industry,


meanwhile, has been hit hard by local policies that have turned operators’ attention to expansion opportunities in the US. Concern about how a


federal carbon pricing plan might pan out, as well as a change in BC policies following the May 9 provincial election, prompted BCGGA president Peter Cummings, COO of Houweling Nurseries Ltd., to speak out. Cummings told the 16 association members attending the meeting that it was imperative that whoever forms BC’s next government be mindful of the impact of energy prices on their operations. “We have to be driving the


wagon,” he said. “Canadian growers, without relief, are at a large competitive disadvantage.” With the full results and final seat count yet to be determined as this issue went to press, BCGGA executive


director Linda Delli Santi said the legislature will be a different place than it was before, presenting industry with various unknowns. “Let’s face it; even if it goes


the way it is today, with Christy being the leader of a minority government, it’s still going to be a different Liberal government than it was before,” Delli Santi told Country Life in BC on May 10. “We’re always a little fearful of the unknown but our biggest concern is the carbon tax rebate because it’s just so significant to our members.” Reiterating Cumming’s


remarks, she said the industry has to keep government aware of the importance of the rebate to the province’s agriculture sector as a whole. “Greenhouse agriculture needs the C02 and the most efficient way to get it is using natural gas in our boilers, at least until technology catches up and goes ahead with alternatives,” she said. “We’re hopeful that whichever party ends up with that power recognizes and understands that.” It’s not clear that will be the


case. Cummings warned the association’s annual meeting that the BC Green Party supports aggressive increases in carbon pricing while the BC NDP embraces the Leap manifesto, which calls for phasing out fossil fuels. While the association met with BC NDP leader John Horgan last November, he wouldn’t


PETER MITHAM PHOTO


guarantee a thing. “We had a polite hearing


[last November] but no commitments,” Cummings said. “It’s not clear what the impacts will be if the NDP are elected.”


Market expansion On a more positive note,


the BC greenhouse sector is working hard to expand markets. Particular successes for the association have been expanding the annual BC Veggie Day promotion to more than 200 retail locations. A name change in 2017 to BC Greenhouse Veggie Days will focus attention on the fact that vegetables being showcased are greenhouse- grown. The promotion takes place May 29 to June 3, a timeframe that will maximize


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exposure in grocers. The final day includes tours


of greenhouse locations; last year’s tours attracted more than 550 visitors. In addition, work continues on expanding international markets, especially in China and India.


Guest speaker Kevin


Peacock, chief economist and vice-president of the Business Council of BC, told growers that an expanding middle class in many countries boosts opportunities for BC


agriculture. The primary export market for BC greenhouse produce right now is the US, but the global number of middle-class consumers by 2030 is expected to top 5.3 billion. “There are millions and millions of people joining that middle class, which just means there’s going to be greater demand for goods and services,” Peacock said. “That market and the demand for high-quality food in China is going to be so, so massive.”


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Graham Bolton FCC Senior Relationship Manager


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