Food Systems

UBCM monitors a number of fisheries, aquaculture, and agriculture policy files. Concerning fisheries, UBCM engages with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) on the following: the management, conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat; development of a new Aquaculture Act; and the transition of open-net pen aquaculture to closed containment operations by 2025. In cooperation with the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities, UBCM has been engaging with DFO to discuss what the transition away from open-net pens will look like for affected communities.

Agriculture sector focus areas include: the impact of climate change on the viability of the sector; changes to Agricultural Land Reserve and Agricultural Land Commission policies and regulations; growth and development encroaching on viable farmland; transitioning retiring farmers and mentoring new farmers; and how to better support the sector.

Aquaculture

In the follow-up to Phases 1 and 2 of engagement on the open-net pen transition, DFO released a What We Heard Report, summarizing feedback from a variety of interests. Feedback representing specific local government perspectives is available in the report.

In June 2023, the federal government announced that it would delay its decision on the planned transition of open-net pen salmon farms, extending the consultation period until the end of the summer, with a transition decision coming at a later unannounced date.

Coastal Marine Strategy

In December 2022, the Province released its Coastal Marine Strategy Policy Intentions Paper, a first step toward the development of a Coastal Marine Strategy for BC. It presented outcomes and policy intentions for consideration, as well as a vision for protecting the ecological, cultural, and economic benefits provided by the coastal marine environment, and was informed by First Nations knowledge, western science, existing planning and technical documents, and Provincial staff.

Through the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the provincial government engaged broadly with industry, Indigenous governments, local governments, and other interested parties. This engagement took place over the first half of 2023 and included webinars, written submissions, an in-person policy forum, and open houses.

A consultant, under the direction of the provincial Coastal Marine Strategy team and respective First Nations, will turn the feedback on the policy intentions and outcomes into a draft strategy for internal government review, with provincial decisions on a Coastal Marine Strategy expected in 2024.

New Options for Residential Flexibility in the ALR
In January 2020, the Minister of Agriculture announced that the Province is considering a new direction for residential flexibility for ALR land owners. The allowance for both a principal residence and a small secondary residence is now being explored.
For more information on the new ALR residential options and the specific conditions of each option (such as size, siting, and quantity) that are being considered by government, please refer to the Ministry of Agriculture Policy Intentions Paper, Residential Flexibility in the ALR.
2019 Ministry of Agriculture Engagement Process
The Ministry of Agriculture engagement process closed in November 2019. A "What We Heard Report" is available here.
Bill 15, Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act
Bill 15 removed the ability for private landowners to submit exclusion applications. UBCM identified concerns to the Minister and a response was received.
Cannabis Production in the ALR
In May 2019 the ALC released their “Revised Information Bulletin 04 – Cannabis Production in the ALR.” At that time, UBCM became aware that, effective February 22, 2019, the Agricultural Land Commission Act and the ALR Use, Subdivision and Procedure Regulation (now the ALR General Regulation) were amended, and the ALR Use Regulation was created.
Within these amendments, the provincial policy on cannabis production in the ALR shifted in order to recast all cannabis production in the ALR as farm use – meaning that applications to the ALC are no longer required for any form of cannabis production.
Local governments retain the ability to prohibit and/or regulate if cannabis production is not: outside, in a structure with a soil base, or in a structure constructed (but not altered to increase its size) or authorized for construction before July 2018.
The UBCM Executive discussed this issue at their May 2019 meeting and conveyed a letter to the Province outlining concerns and a number of questions regarding the lack of consultation, delay in informing local governments and implications for local monitoring and enforcement. A response was received in July.

Previously, in 2018, the Executive conveyed a letter to the Province which indicated support for a moratorium on the production of non-medical cannabis on ALR land until the provincial government undertakes a comprehensive review and broad consultation with local governments.
Revitalization of the ALC & ALR
In 2018 an independent committee was formed to oversee a public engagement process and provide recommendations to the Province to ensure the provincial goals of preserving agricultural land, and encouraging farming and ranching, are maintained and improved.
In March 2018, UBCM presented a submission to the Advisory Committee. The presentation focused largely on the critical role of local governments in preserving farmland and farming industry in BC and was well-received by the Committee.
The Committee's interim and final reports are available here.
Commercial Dog & Cat Breeding
In April 2016, the provincial government announced the creation of a new regulation to recognize a Code of Practice for kennel and cattery operations in BC. As part of the consultation process, UBCM made a submission.