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- ~

Outstanding Issues from 2010 ALC Reviews

• There are a number

of

outstanding issues from the 2010 Reviews:

• The

Ale s

operational leadership and organizational performance are weak.

•

ALC

decision making

is

perceived by some

as

slow, inconsistent and non-

transparent

• ALC s accountability

to

government is not well defined, reducing its

responsiveness

to

government policy direction notes).

• The ALC s legislative mandate, policies and operational or ientation are

balanced

primarily towards farmland preservation, then

to the

interests

of

farm

families, nd only

the.n

on a.llowing

for

broader provinc;ial economic

, J l e v . e Q p m . ~ n t l P O g 8 - ~ . . o J 1 i . e § . e ,



·-

ALC Mod()rnlzation:

Why

are we doing this what

will

change

and

what w ll be

the

result?

Whv are we doing this?

•

The

ALC and ALR are 40

years

old.

• Globally, farmland is becoming an increasingly valuable asset,

as

climate change

and population growth have put tong

term

food security at the centre of the

international agenda.

• The ALR is recogniZed by stakeholders as the most important component of

ensuring long term food security, and British Columbians have developed a

strong emotional

aUachment

to the ALR.

• Any changes to the ALR or ALC tt lat are perceived as weakening

farmland

protection will likely result in a significant negative reaction from both the public

and the farming communi1y .

• This government has a clear mandate from British Columbians to focus on

economic development and job creation.

• Purpcse

of

this Initiative is

to

modernize the ALC and ALR

1o

ensure that the ALC

and ALR

achieve

an appropria

te balance

between

farmland

protection and

economic development.

Guiding Principles:

1) Protect BC s best quality farmland;

2) Allow responsible economic development;

3) Suooort a sustainable farming sector that supports farm families;

s.13

5} De iNer transparent and timely ALC

6)

Recognize

regional

and

community

diversity;

and

7) Increase

the

accountability of the ALC

to

government.

What

will

change?

The ALC will be modernized, moving from a slow moving, paper based organization

operating independently

o

the

Mi

nistry and government, to a

fully

digitized operation

that is nimble,

to its clients needs, and fufly

accountable

to the government

This

wi

ll be achieved by:

1. Amending the LC ct and Regulations s.13

s.13

2. Providing the ALC with strong. effective and accountable operational leadership.

3. Using this enhanced accountability and leadership to ensure that the permanent

budget lift recen tly provided to the ALC is used effectively and

effi

ciently

to

improve

ALC operations in a way that delivers measu rably better results for its clients.

Balancing farm•and protection wJth

responsJve economic development

The ba lance between farmland protecti

on

and economic development will

be

refined to

better protect BC s best farmland, while allowing fer responsible economic development

in key areas of the province.

25 of 2

43



ALC

Core

Review-

Q A

Why

are we doing

this?

1) Didn't we just do a review

of ALC

and

change

Its

legislation

and funding:

why are we doing this

again?

• The recent legislative changes and budget lift were an

important

first

step in modernizing the ALC.

• Further reform

is necessary

to complete

the modernization

process

and

ensure the ALC achieves an appropriate balance between farmland

protection, the stability of arm famlll&s and supporting jobs and

investment In

BC

2) What s the problem you are trying to address?

• The

ALC

does

not

meetgovernment

and

citizen's expectations on

transparency,

accountabilityand service delivery.

• ALC decisions do not reflect an

appropriate

balance between farmland

protection,

the stability

of

farm families and suppotting

obs

and

inv stm nt in

BC.

•

When the ALR was created.. a lot

of

and with limited to

poor farming

value was Included.

This will

help

refine

the

land

in the ALR

to truly

represent productive

farm land

in

th province.

3)

How does this

align

with

our

platform, the

Core

Review, and

the

BC

Agrl food Strategy?

•

We

have

a

strong,

clear mandate

from

British Columbians

t

focus on

creating

obs and growing the economy.

• Bold reforms

are necessary

to

ensure

that the administration of he ALR

by the ALC reflects

this

mandate, while continuing to protect

BC's best

farmland.

• y

guaranteeing

the

presetvation

ofBC's best farmland (where 90

of

farm revenues are generated) while allowing

for

responsible economic

development

opporlunitle on Jess productive farmland, we will

maximize

the

total

economic

benefits generated

from BC's

fannland.

• Food procesaing snd value-added agriculture makes

up

a

large

percentage of the agrifood industry's revenues. These

proposals

open

up opportunities

for

value

added activity, supporting

our

goal

of

reaching

148

in

sector

receipts

by 2017.

153 of

2

7



Consultation and Stakeholders Views

4

Consultation:

the

proposals

are bold,

and

we

have not

consulted stakeholders

or the

publ ic- are we opening

ourselves

to

unnecessary

criticism?

• Extensive consultations on

reform

o f

both the ALC and the ALR were

undertaken

in

2011, and

since becoming Minister

I have heard

from

a

large

number of

stakeholders about the need

for further

refonn.

•

Further, broad based

consultations

are not

being considered

at

this

time.

4b:

The provincial government ha s a number of requirements to

consult

with local governments and/or UBCM

under

the

Community

Charter

-

has/will

this

occur?

• Consultation with

local

governments

and

UBCM will take pface,

as

necessary, when the proposedpolicy direction is confirmed.

5

What is

the

opposition going to

say?

•

t

was

an

NDP government that created the ALR

in

1973, and critics may

portray the changes to the

ALC

s administration of the ALR as

weakening

or

dismantling of he A.LR. But this

criticism

is unfounded.

Given

our

mandate

to grow

the economy, and

based

on the

balanced

approach we

are

taking

with these proposals, I am

confident

that British

Columbians

will

support whatwe are do;ng regardless ·

o fany

comments

by the opposition.

• One

point

to be

clear

about

is

we

are

increasing

protection

of

he

provinces

best

farmland. The tandbase that generates 90

of

agriculture's revenues will be

far

better protected than

t

is today.

• Critics

will

also say

we

are poJitjcizing the ALC and removing their

independence. We will have to be clear that decisions on

applications

will continue

to

be

made

by ALC Panels and the Panels will continue

to

be independent

ofgovernment

,

as they

are

now

6

Which

regions

or

local govemments w ll support/oppose these

proposals?

• Pro--growth munlcfpalitles and

regional districts that want to take

greater

control over

their

own

destinies

will

support

these

proposals, as

will those

in key agricultural

regions that want

to

see stronger

protec6on

for

our best farmland.

7 What is

the

farm industry going to say?

• The agriculture industry broadly

supports

the ALR

and

wilt be in

favour

of

stronger protections for BC s

best

farmland.

154

of

2

7



. .

•

The

industry also recognizes that in order to

compete

on

the

world

market they need to move up the value added continuum and will

support

our proposals

to

allow for more innovation and

value

added

food production

in

the ALR.

• Some

landowners are frustrated

by

the

operation

of

he

ALC,

and

will

support modernizing the organization and its administration

of

he

ALR.

8)

How is the

ALC going t react?

•

The

key

concepts

behind this package

have been

discussed

with

the

ALC and they

are

generally

supportive.

• s.13

•

The

ALC will also likely not support the notion

o

allowing

local

governments

to decide

exclusion

applications.

9) How will British Columbians react? Don t

people love the

ALR

for

providing food security to BC?

•

Many

British

Columbians have

an emotional

attachment

to the ALR and

some will view

any

changes

as weakening

i t

• Most British

Co/umbians

do not

interact

with

the

ALC

directly,

so may

be unaware of the

frustrations

experienced

by

some landowners

and

local

governments

in dealing with the organization.

•

Ensuring

British

Columbians

are

aware

that

we

are actually

increasing

prot etion

lor the provinces most productive farm land will be

key.

•

Stakeholder

farmer,

producer)

support for

the

changes

will be crucial

In

delivering that information

to the

public

.

• lndjviduals and

critics may

also express

strong criticism about

what

they believe to

be a lack or absence ofpublic

consultation

on

the

changes.

The

key to food

security

is to

have

a strong e onomyand open borders

so that British Columbians can

purchase

the foods they

want and

need

from around the

world.

• Local food is

an

important piece of his

overall

food

basket,

and British

Columbians have a strong

emotional attachment to

the

ALR

for this

reason.

• Further protecting BC

1

s

best farmland supports local

food

security.

•

Ensuring

the

stab1lity

o

arm

families

by

giving

them

a

wider

range of

economic development

opportunities also

supports local food security

.

•

That

is

why it is

so

important

to

balance

farmland

protection and

economic

development,

which

this

package ofproposals does

.

155

of

2

73



Modernize ALC Operations

10) Why not eliminate the ALR

altogether?

•

The

ALR Is

the foundation

of

he

agriculture

industry in

B.C.

•

BriUsh Columbians

have

a strong

emotional

attachment

to the ALR

(polls routinely

show

95 support).

•

he root of andowners ' and

local

governments concerns is not the

ALR

, but the administration of the ALR

by

the ALC.

11)

Isn t the

real problem t

the ALC the

staff and chair?

hy

not just change the leadership? Will

the

leadership

be changed

as a result of these proposals?

•

The

ALC

lacks effective operational leadership. This wHI be addressed

by

appointing

a CEO,

separate

from

the

Chair,

s 1

3

s 13

12)

How

much money will

these changes

save

/

cost?

•

There will

be

efficiencies and improvements

in

ALC

operanons and

service levels

but

th s proposals are

not

aimed at reducing the cost of

running

the ALC.

• s 13

•

s 13

156

of

2

74



s 13

Modernize ALC Decision Making

16 How

will

these changes help

farm

families?

•

y

guaranteeing

the preservation

of

BCJs

best

farmland

while

allowing

for

responsible

econom;c development

opportunities

on other farmland.

For

example by expanding

opportunities

for value-added farming

activities

like

food

processing or

agri tourism

s 13

•

Providing more options for succession planning

w I help farm famffies

stay together and continue In the

business

of arming.

s 13

57 of

2

75



s.13

21)

What is prime land

•

Prime land will be

defined by

a combination of ts

Classification In

the

Canada L1tnd Inventoryand its suitability for producing

high value

crops like berries, grapes and cattle, that thrive on lower quality soils.

(Class 4-6 land are suitable for production of

crops

that generate 80

of

BC s

total

farm

revenues).

• Regional differences will

also

be considered (90

of total

BC farm

revenue i5 generated from

just

10 o he ALR).

MLA Interests

22) Doesn t this create two

ALR s

- one in the north that•s open

for business and

one

in

the south that s closed? How is this

fair

•

90 of he BC agriculture industry s revenues are generated on just

10

of he ALR

1

in an area concentrated on the

Okanagan,

Fraser

Valley

and

Vancouver Island

. This

area

requires

specialprotection.

•

The

oil

and

gas sector

are located

in

the north east, where extensive

tracts

of farmland are available for non-farm uses.

• So we

already

have two ALRs; these proposals

simply

reflect that

reality

23) All

the

problems you raise

are

specific to

the

North East?

How

does this

help

my

communJty?

•

The problems with ALC accountability

and

transparency

affect

1he

whole

province, as

does

the ALC s myopic

focus

on farmland protection

at the expense

of

any

other

considerations.

158 of 2

7



• Modernizing the

Commission and

rebalancing

the priorities t

considers

in

its decisions to

Include our mandate on economic

growth

and ob

creation

will

help all regions of

the province

24 Where is

the evidence

supporting your crit ique

of the

ALC?

How

would the

ALC

respond to the cri t icisms in your

examples?

• We

have heard these specific

complaints directly from

landowners and

local governments

and they

are indicative

or

more widespread problems

with the

ALC s

administration of the

ALRr

• The ALC

would

respond that th y are acting within their mandate

to

protect

farmland

• These proposals are intended to ensure

that the ALC

balances farmland

protection with the need

for

ob creation

and

economic growth

159 of 2



Cabinet Submission Request

or

Decision

Minister:

Hono\lrable

Pat

Pimm

Ministry:

Agriculture

Date: 19/11/2013 Ministry Document :

Title:

The current mandate, decision making framework

and

operational

structure

of the

Agricultural l nd Commission reduce service levels for clients,

s .12 ,s .13

s.12,s.13 and

limit

the consideration

of

regional

regulatory

changes are

required to

mode

making

t

improve service levels, and to

appropriate balance between farmland protecti

farming industry, and responsible economic

Request:

issi

on

decisions.

Legislative and

achieves an

of farm families and the

Direct

that

the

leg

submission be

ca

and operational changes proposed in this

legislative

amendments

introduced

in Spring

2014.

Implications and

Commission governance

and

similar government entities in BC

mandate is

focused primarily

on fa

ctures are inadequate relative to other

uire modernization. The Commission s

preservatlon. This government has a clear

mandate to focus on economic grovwth

and

job creation. Changes to the Commission s

s.12,s.13

making framework are requ

ired

to improve governance,

and

to

acheive an appropriate balance between farmland protection, the stability of farm

famili

es and

the. arming industry, and responsi

ble

economic development opportunities.

British Columbians have a strong emotional attachment to the Agricultural Land

Reserve. Local governments and the farming industry also have a strong interest in the

use and

dispos ition of the

Reserve.

Any significant changes to the Reserve have the

potential to be controversial with the public, local communities and farmers.

Co n f i d e n t i

a l

d v i c e

to Cab

i

ne t

age

64

of

a



Background Context:

In

June

2010, Cabinet directed the Minister

o

Agriculture to work

with

the Chair

of

the

Commission to review Commission operations, policy and legislation. In November

2010, the Chair provided his report

to

the

Min

ister

of

Agriculture with eight

recommendations for change. In September 2010, the Auditor General also published a

report on the Commission, with nine recommendations for change {Appendix A .

In July 2011 the Minister of Agriculture made a Cabinet recommending

s.12.s.13

and

in Ocober 2011 the

Min ister made a request to Treasury Board for for the Commission.

Subsequent legislative

and

fiscal changes were made to

pro t

Commission wi

th

the authorities and

resources required

to

better

fulfil

its mandate ·. endix

A .

s.12,s.13

s.12,s.13

was provided with a permanent lift to

its

2 13 the Commission

Appendifs).

responsible

the farming industry

h r

expectations. These

the Commission delivers on improvements promised

and that

he

propose any changes necessary to ensure

ritish Columbians, balancing farmtand protection with

opportunities and the

stability

of fa rm families and

On November

7,

2013

and

November 30,2013 the Minister presented a number of

proposals to the Cabinet Working Group on Core Review to modernize the Commission

in line with the Premier s expectations. The proposals in this submission reflect the

direction provided

to

the Minister by

1he

Cabinet Working Group on Core

Review.

Con t

i

denti f

dv

i c e

to

Cab i n e t

Page

12

165

of

2

83



Options:

1} Modernize Commission operations by:

a

Appointing a CEO separate

from

the Chair;

b

Filling

vacancies on the

six regional panels;

c Increasing

Commission

accountability through regulatory amendments that will:

i. Set service standards for the Commission;

ii

Require the Commission

to

report to the Ministry

on

its performance;

iii. Require the Commission to publish service standards and decisions;

iv. Enable applican1s to attend hearings and make presentations;

d) Ensuring the

Minister

has sufficient leg authority to issue policy direction

to

the Chair, similar to other boards a issions e.g. through a LoE).

Pros: Improved

and

predictable service

stronger operational accountability;

transparency of, Panel decision making.

consistent with other such Commissions;

for, but increased

Cons:

Reduced operational independence; in

reatse,cr

·

t

costs for

Commission.

s.12,s.13

3

Amend the

Local overnment

issue policy

gu

idelines

under

that

Act)

to

requ ire Commission and local to engage early in land use planning.

Pros:

More

efficient. pred ictable and consistent land use planning.

Cons:

None.

4 Amend

the LC

ct

o create two

ALR

zones. Maintain the status quo in Zone

1;

increase flexibility in Zone 2

by

app lying options 5 to 8 in Zone 2 only.

•Zone 1:Defined s.12,s.13

s.12.s.1 . or by

region e.g. Island, South Coast and Okanagan

;

• Zone 2: Defined s.12,s.13

1?

1 . or by region e.g. Interior, Kootenay, North).

Con f

i

dential

dv i ce

to

abinet

Page

13

166

of

2

84



.

Pros: Most productive fa rmland protected; greater flexibility on less productive land.

Cons: Weakened farmland protection in Zone 2 (90% of the Reserve). Defining zones

by region is conceptually and administratively simple, s.12.s.13

s_

12.s.13 . may

not

coincide with local

government boundaries.

s.12 ,s.13

s.12,s.13

5) Zone 2 only: Amend the LC ct to s.12,s.13 or amend

the decision making

cr

iteria used y Panels (in regulaUon),

to

consider a broader

array

of

factors

than

just

farmland pre

Pros: Greater flexibility on less productive

Cons: Weakened protection in

Zone 2

mandates fof panels (e.g. farmland

ni .CO,Q.COr \JCOt

Protection of most productive land.

the Reserve).

Potentially conflicting

' ''.n'

development).

6 Zone 2 onry: Amend

regulations

under the LC r

.....u

•

.

opportunities

for

in: value-added

s.12.s.1

s.12,s.13

Pros: Increased

C 'Pni ' 'ATITiv.co

farming industry

and

farm famili

es.

Cons: Amount of

ac1ivities within

the

Res

primary production is reduced, by allowing

be

located off-fann.

s.12,s.13

onfidentia

l

A d v i

ce

to

abinet

Page

14

167 of 2

85



s.12,s.13

Treasury Board Secretariat are in agreement with this analysis of impacts.

Pnlicy:

There

are

no labo

ur

relat ion

s, legal

Th

ere

wHI not

be any

implications

for

implications

from

these proposals.

Legislation

Leots1a1nve

governments,

the Commission,

proposed. The

and are included in 1he Ministry

notification

of pr

oposed

legislative

amendments. Local

were consulted extensively in

2 1

on reform of

consulted on the specific changes now being

was consulted on most of the not;ons raised in this

submission but has

not been

consulted

on th

e specific

changes proposed.

Contact:

David Coney,

Policy Manager.

··· - ·

· 168

of

20

Co

r t f i den

tial

A d v

i c e

t

abinet

Page

i

5

86



250) 387-3232

Honourable Pat Pimm

__ ______

Date Signed

169 of

alc and alr foi documents

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