Both Metro Vancouver and the Agricultural Land Commission have identified development and land speculation as theats to the resilience of regional agriculture.
While there are safeguards in place, Carla Stewart, senior planner in agriculture and food security at Metro Vancouver, does see some “picking away” at the boundaries of the ALR. “A lot of folks look at agricultural land as an area that we can use to accommodate more urban development. So, there’s certainly that mindset out there,” she said.
In February, Surrey City Council voted in support adding 89 hectares of active farmland to the ALR, according to the City of Surrey. This is in line with the ALC’s proposal to add 123 hectares of federally owned lands in Surrey’s Campbell Heights area to the ALR. The remaining 34 hectares of forest land did not receive support from council to be added.
“It’s not it’s not a straightforward path, it’s not an easy answer. Does [exclusion] happen? Yes. Are there challenges against keeping agricultural land for agricultural purposes? Yes,” said Stewart, adding that B.C.’s reliance on food imports further muddles the issue.