EAGLE VALLEY
NEWS
Loonies return to raise funds for fireworks Page 3
Sicamous shuts out Calgary in midget tourney Page 8
Wednesday, April 9, 2014 PM40008236
Vol. 59 No. 15 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (GST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com
Protecting agriculture:
Shuswap agriculture advocates believe amendments to how the Agricultural Land Commission operates will put B.C.’s farmland at risk. Photo by James Murray
Proposed changes to ALR prompt concern
Bill 24: Food security proponents say government bill not helping farmers. By Lachlan Labere
But John McLeod, retired farmer and president of the Shuswap Food Action Co-op, has a different take on Shuswap agricultural advocates the changes recommended in Bill 24 argue proposed changes to how the – the Agricultural Land Commission province manages farmland have Amendment Act, which, in summalittle do with helping the people who ry, he refers to with a pejorative term work it. approximating “bull ferOn March 27, the tilizer.” B.C. government an“When Christy Clark nounced how it would won the last election, be improving the Agrithere wasn’t one word culture Land Commisabout doing a core resion, the independent view on the agricultural body tasked with proland reserve or commistecting farmland in the Bill Bennett sion – she has no manAgricultural Land ReMinister of Energy date to do this,” says serve. and Mines McLeod, who believes The changes were the key changes in the the result of a cabinet amendment are to ac“core review” headed by Energy commodate the premier’s mandate to and Mines Minister Bill Bennett. A get liquid natural gas flowing – even news release states the changes will from agricultural land. “protect farmland and maintain the “They don’t have plan (for agriALC’s independence.” culture),” said McLeod. “What they “These improvements achieve our have is a plan to go and frack!” goals of supporting the ALC in its With Bill 24 the B.C. government role as independent decision maker, will be dividing the ALR into two protecting our high-quality farm- zones, Zone 1 covering everything land and still support farmers to get See Province on page 2 ahead,” states Bennett in the release.
Eagle Valley News
Up to it: Jared Nelson manages to grab some air time while performing an “ollie” Saturday afternoon at the Sicamous Skate Park. Photo by James Murray