NEWS RELEASES
2022
BCAC Fund for Farmers Receives Nearly $800,000 in Donations
As of today, BC Agriculture Council's (BCAC) Fund for Farmers has reached nearly $800,000 in donations announced President, Stan Vander Waal. Canadians donated in response to flooding in B.C. communities last November after learning of the devastating impacts to farmers and ranchers, particularly in Abbotsford, Merritt, and Princeton.
Agriculture Award Winners Announced at 20th B.C. Agri-Food Industry Gala
Richmond farmer Bill Zylmans and long-time agriculture consultant Christine Koch were recognized for their contributions to B.C.’s agriculture sector this evening at the virtual B.C. Agri-Food Industry Gala hosted by BC Agriculture Council (BCAC). In addition, Royal Bay Secondary teacher Robin Ruff was presented with an Outstanding Teacher Award by BC Agriculture in the Classroom (BCAITC).
The BC Agri-Food Industry Gala Online Auction Is Now Live!
Get your bids in now! BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) is thrilled to announce that the BC Agri-Food Industry Gala Online Auction is open for online bidding now to April 3. British Columbians can bid on over 100 items including entertainment, accommodation, gift cards, memorabilia, and more!
20th BC Agri-Food Industry Gala Celebrates Agriculture in B.C.
For the second time in 20 years, the BC Agri-Food Industry Gala will take a virtual format as farmers, ranchers, and supporters from across the province tune in to celebrate the agriculture sector in British Columbia. BC Agriculture Council’s (BCAC) virtual Gala will air on March 30, 2022, at 6:00 P.M.
2021
BC Agriculture Council Establishes Fund to Support Farmers
BC Agriculture Council is accepting donations on behalf of our province’s farmers and ranchers who have been impacted by the recent severe weather events. The organization has already received $100,000 in donations, including $30,000 from Scotiabank, $25,000 each from CIBC and Envision Financial, and $20,000 from Mertin Auto Group in Chilliwack.
B.C. Farmers and Ranchers Connect with Government for Ag Day
It has been two years since British Columbia’s farmers, ranchers and industry leaders last gathered for Ag Day in Victoria where they connected with government to discuss matters impacting the sector. While the annual event won’t take place in Victoria this year, Ag Day will go forward virtually, beginning today. This year’s discussions will focus on three top priorities for agriculture: food security, water security, and labour.
Celebrate Summer with Free Cook-Along
Summer is just around the corner and it's time to try some tasty new recipes! BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation and We Heart Local BC are hosting a free cook-along webinar from 5:30pm to 7:00m on June 21, 2021 that features fresh, fabulous and fun summertime recipes and ag-education!
Provincial Budget Is Preparing for Economic Recovery
Supporting people and businesses in addressing the pandemic’s immediate impacts and to prepare the province for recovery.
Today, Finance Minister Selina Robinson tabled the 2021 provincial budget amid COVID-19 financial pressures. The budget funds a range of new measures to protect the health and safety of British Columbians while supporting people and businesses and preparing for recovery from the pandemic.
Free Cook-Along BC Series Launches
BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC) and We Heart Local BC, are partnering again to provide a new series of free virtual cook-alongs! The exciting new series will feature a variety of educational cooking demonstrations with Chef Trevor Randle on April 24, May 8, June 21 and fall/winter 2021.
Auction Proceeds Hit All-Time High!
BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) is thrilled to share the results from the annual silent auction which saw proceeds hit the highest level it has ever raised, wrapping-up at $13,255. For the fourth consecutive year, the proceeds from the auction will be donated to BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC)."
Start Your Bidding - The BC "Ag Gala" Silent Auction Is Now Live!
Today, BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) is thrilled to announce the launch of the annual BC Agri-Food Industry Gala online silent auction. For the fourth consecutive year, the proceeds from the auction will be donated to BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC). "The BCAC Board is again thrilled to support the work of BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation whose activities are something our whole sector can unite on," says BCAC President, Stan Vander Waal. "Given the past year, it is critical that we continue to collaborate and show support from within our community."
2020
B.C. Agriculture Sector As The Economic Stabilizer After COVID-19
Today, BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) and Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF) announced the completion of a B.C. agriculture economic impact study that illustrates how agriculture is a significant economic contributor and an important piece of B.C.’s identity. Not only is the sector a core component of the province’s economy, it can play a major role in helping the province weather and recover from the pandemic-induced economic downturn, particularly in rural communities.
New Plan Helps Island Farmers Adapt to Climate Change
Farmers on Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands will have more support to adapt to climate change following the development of the Vancouver Island Adaptation Strategies plan. The plan identifies 11 strategies for increasing the resilience of producers in the region. The governments of Canada and B.C. will provide $300,000 in funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support projects that achieve those strategies. A working group with up to 20 representatives from the agricultural sector and regional and provincial governments will oversee the development of priority projects. The BC Agriculture & Food Climate Action Initiative will manage project implementation.
Canadian Federation of Agriculture Warns Domestic Food Supply Needs to be the Biggest Government Priority, Following Healthcare, in Fight Against COVID-19
Today Mary Robinson, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), hosted a virtual press conference to address the extraordinary challenges being faced by Canadian farmers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Robinson warned that without immediate assistance from the federal government, the Canadian agriculture sector cannot ensure our domestic food supply will remain secure for the immediate and long-term benefit of all Canadians.
"We are facing a critical time where it is imperative that farmers and ranchers receive the immediate support they need," says Stan Vander Waal, BC Agriculture Council president. "We must ensure that Canada’s domestic food supply is secure not only now, but for months to come. I am encouraged and grateful for the support from our provincial government so far, to help address critical labour concerns. What we need now, is for the federal government to come to the table with a support plan for agriculture that encourages farmers to continue growing and raising safe, nutritious food for Canadians, even while facing challenges with labour shortages and market uncertainty."
BCAC Adds Voice to a Call for a Return to Order, the Free Movement of Goods and People and a Commitment to Certainty and Future Prosperity
A growing chorus of business, Indigenous and community leaders are calling for a commitment to certainty and future prosperity following weeks of economic disruption.
“British Columbia is recognized globally for producing high-quality, safe, nutritious food and agricultural products," says Stan Vander Waal, BCAC President. "Without a reliable supply and delivery system, our domestic and global customers will lose confidence and turn to other countries to source their food, leaving local farm businesses at risk of losing hard earned markets. Agriculture continues to suffer from the effects of events that remain out of our control such as the gas pipeline rupture, rail strikes and trade disputes. Reversing the impact of this is a long and difficult process.”
B.C. NDP Government Releases Disappointing Budget for Agriculture
This week the BC NDP government released its third budget after delivering a throne speech last Tuesday. The B.C. Ministry of Agriculture received a $2.8-million reduction in funding for 2020. The reduction is primarily targeting travel and office expenses, a freeze on hiring and anticipated program slippage. Out of all the provinces, British Columbia continues to have the lowest government expenditures in agriculture as a percentage of agriculture GDP.
Op-Ed: Metro’s Attempt to Regulate Cannabis Odour Threatens B.C.’s Agriculture Sector
In our collective effort to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gases, who knew that plants and crops were the problem? Officials at the Metro Vancouver Regional District think so as a Metro committee called “Climate Action” is proposing to regulate naturally occurring emissions from plants. Starting with cannabis, Metro Vancouver is proposing to regulate the natural scents and compounds that come from plants and trees.
2019
Record Year for Food Sales in B.C.
B.C. farmers, ranchers, seafood and processing workers contributed to a recordsetting year in 2018, with annual revenue from businesses in those sectors reaching $15 billion for the first time.
B.C. Farmers and Ranchers Connect with Government in Victoria
British Columbia farmers, ranchers and industry leaders are in Victoria today to connect with government for the annual Ag Day in Victoria. Ag Day’s main objective is to connect key sector representatives with government to increase awareness around the positive impacts agriculture has on B.C.’s economy and speak to specific challenges.
Liberal Party’s Salmon Farming Platform Threatens Jobs and Ignores Facts
The BC Salmon Farmers Association issued this statement from Executive Director John Paul Fraser today in response to the Liberal Party of Canada’s new platform on salmon farming...
New Legislation Will Strengthen Independence of Agricultural Land Commission
Legislation has been introduced to strengthen the independence of the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), so it can better fulfill its mandate of preserving the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), while encouraging farming and ranching within British Columbia.
2018
B.C. Farmers and Ranchers Talk Land Use and Labour in Victoria
Farm and ranch leaders from across the province have arrived in Victoria for “Ag Day”, BC Agriculture Council’s premier advocacy event.
Planning for Climate Change in the Agriculture Sector
The British Columbia agriculture sector will have new resources available to support its efforts in adapting to climate change. The Climate Change Adaptation Program is providing $6 million in federal and provincial government support, over the next five years, through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The program builds on previous government-supported work and is focused on building resilience to climate change at the farm level, and at the wider regional level.
Economic Strategy Explored at Annual Industry-Government FPT Roundtable on Agriculture
Agriculture industry leaders highlighted several options for economic strategy in their meeting today with federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) agriculture ministers. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s (CFA) annual industry-government FPT Roundtable took place in Vancouver, BC, where farm leaders from each province sat side-by-side with their provincial agriculture ministers to talk about how local and regional aspects connect with the national plans to grow the sector.
Province Relaunches Buy BC to Connect People to Made-in-B.C. Products
Buy BC programming is being relaunched to boost B.C.’s agriculture industry and fuel public interest in shopping for made-in-B.C. products.
British Columbia Environmental Farm Plan Program Continues
The B.C. Agricultural Research & Development Corporation (ARDCorp) will continue to deliver the Environmental Farm Plan Program (EFP) on behalf of the governments of Canada and British Columbia. Funding for this program is provided by the new Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year 3-billion-dollar investment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments that aims to support the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.
Wine Industry Disappointed with Supreme Court Ruling
The British Columbia Wine Institute and its members today expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court of Canada's ruling on Her Majesty the Queen v. Gerard Comeau. The case challenged restrictions on interprovincial trade, an issue the BCWI and the Canadian Vintners Association (CVA) has been working on for over a decade.
The Co-operators Welcomes BC Agriculture Council as Its Newest Member
The Co-operators Group Limited is pleased to announce its newest member organization, the BC Agriculture Council (BCAC). The Co-operators, a Canadian insurance and financial services co-operative, now has 44 members, including co-operatives, credit union centrals and representative farm organizations.
Media Statement on Rail Transportation
Farmers from across Canada are in Ottawa to convey a unified message that urgent action is required to prevent another grain crisis in Western Canada.
John Horgan's BC NDP Government Releases its First Full Budget
Today, John Horgan's BC NDP government released its first full budget after delivering a throne speech last Tuesday. The Ministry of Agriculture was the only resource-based ministry highlighted in today’s budget. The Ministry will receive a $29-million increase in funding over the next three years to support GrowBC, FeedBC and BuyBC.
Award Winners Announced at the 2018 B.C. Agri-Foods Industry Gala
The BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) is pleased to announce the award recipients from the 16th Annual B.C. Agri-Foods Industry Gala.
2017
Silent Auction Proceeds Donated to BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation
All proceeds from the BC Agri-Food Industry Gala’s silent auction will be donated to the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation announced BC Agriculture Council Chair, Stan Vander Waal today.
Ag Horticulture & Landscape Sectors Tackle Labour and Skills Shortages
The BC Landscape & Nursery Association (BCLNA) is partnering with the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training to develop deeper insights into alleviating the labour shortages of workers in the landscape, agriculture horticulture and turf sectors.
Helping British Columbia Farmers Identify and Manage Risk
The Government of Canada is committed to working with agricultural industry partners and the private sector to explore and develop new risk management tools that meet the needs of Canadian farmers when faced with serious challenges beyond their control.
B.C. Farmers and Ranchers Connecting With Government in Victoria
Eighty farm and ranch leaders from across the province have arrived in Victoria for “Ag Day”, BC Agriculture Council’s premier advocacy event.
BC New Democrats Announce Budget
Today, the British Columbia's NDP government announced its first budget after delivering a throne speech last Friday. However, the party's full financial plan won't come until February 2018. British Columbia's Finance Minister, Carole James, says the budget will outline the "first steps" of some programs, but warned that the government is taking its time to ensure they are implemented correctly.
BC New Democrats Announce Minister of Agriculture
The B.C. New Democrat Party (BC NDP) has announced Lana Popham as the Province’s new Minister of Agriculture today during the swearing in ceremony in Victoria, B.C.
Invitation to Attend 2017 National Environmental Farm Plan Summit
The National Environmental Farm Plan (NEFP) steering committee invites Agri-food stakeholders from across the value chain to attend the second annual NEFP Summit in Ottawa this November.
BC Agriculture Council Announces 2017 Board of Directors
The BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) and BC Agricultural Research & Development Corporation (ARDCorp) is pleased to announce the appointment of four new board directors and the results from the election of the executive.
BC Agriculture Council Welcomes Director of Communications and Engagement.
The BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) announces the addition of Danielle Synotte as Director of Communications & Engagement. The position will play a key role in leading collaboration among members and will also support the Council’s mandate to deliver proactive communication.