ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – August 13, 2026 – BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) welcomes the release of the Legislative Assembly’s Report on the Budget 2027 Consultation, which reflects many of the priorities advanced by B.C.’s agriculture sector through coordinated advocacy. The report includes several references to BCAC’s submissions and demonstrates how the collective voice of the sector helped shape the Committee’s understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture in British Columbia.

Throughout the consultation process, BCAC and several of its member associations appeared before the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services to advance shared priorities aimed at strengthening the long-term competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of British Columbia’s agriculture sector. The Committee’s report reflects many of those priorities – not only in its recommendations, but also in its discussion of the challenges facing the sector.

Among the issues highlighted by the Committee were the need to modernize outdated farm classification thresholds that no longer reflect today’s farming realities, increase provincial investment in agriculture to better align with other Canadian jurisdictions, strengthen business risk management and disaster resilience, invest in agricultural water infrastructure, provide stable operating funding for the Agriculture Wildlife Program, and improve regulatory and permitting processes that support economic growth.

The report also underscores the importance of long-term investment in agriculture to strengthen food security, increase agricultural production, enhance economic competitiveness, and build resilience in the face of growing challenges.

“This report demonstrates the value of coordinated, sector-wide advocacy,” said Danielle Synotte, Executive Director of BC Agriculture Council. “It’s encouraging to see the Committee not only recognize many of the recommendations put forward by BCAC and our member associations but also acknowledge the underlying challenges facing B.C. agriculture – from outdated farm classification thresholds and the need for greater investment in the sector, to strengthening long-term competitiveness and resilience. We look forward to working with government to translate these recommendations into meaningful action for farmers and ranchers across British Columbia

Among the report’s 81 recommendations are calls to:

• • Significantly increase funding for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to better align with other Canadian jurisdictions and ensure sufficient capacity to respond to the sector’s needs;
  • Invest annually in agricultural water storage infrastructure, including engineering inspections, maintenance and upgrades;
  • Expedite regulatory and permitting processes across B.C.’s natural resource sectors to support economic growth;
  • Provide stable operating funding for the Agriculture Wildlife Program; and
  • Reinstate fuel tax exemptions for seafood harvesters and commercial fishers.

BCAC was joined in presenting to the Committee by several member associations, including the BC Cattlemen’s Association, BC Dairy Association, BC Fruit Growers’ Association, BC Grain Producers Association, BC Poultry Association, and BC Salmon Farmers Association. Together, these presentations brought forward both commodity-specific perspectives and shared priorities affecting agriculture across British Columbia. The resulting report demonstrates the value of a coordinated approach to advocacy – one that elevates both individual commodity issues and broader sector priorities.

While the Committee’s report does not constitute government policy, it provides important advice to government as it develops Budget 2027. BCAC looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with government, its member associations, and industry partners to advance these priorities and strengthen the long-term viability of B.C.’s agriculture sector.

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For more information:
Ursula Klein
Communications Manager
T: (604) 854-4454 ext. 205
E: communications@bcac.ca

About BC Agriculture Council: BCAC’s mission is to support and grow a competitive agriculture sector by fostering industry collaboration and shaping effective public policy. This is achieved by delivering a unified voice for the sector to government through member farm associations that in turn represent approximately 96% of provincial farm gate sales.