Food Policy Information
Food information
Food Security Opinions from local Politicians
Tag Archives: councillor
Lake Country Councillor (Okanagan Centre Ward) – Lisa Cameron
I moved to Lake Country, a rural community with a very large agricultural component, because of the lifestyle, however I wholeheartedly support food security and safety.
I’ve worked for many years in the wine industry here in the Okanagan, and I currently sit on the Agricultural Advisory Commission for the Central Okanagan – agriculture is important to me, and our community. I recently read a report that noted that BC was heavily, and it turns out too, dependent upon produce from California. I believe we can change that. I believe municipalities can work with our provincial and federal counterparts to revamp current agricultural policy to truly support Canada’s farmers (big and small) through policy reform, farmland and ALR support, consumer education and buy local initiatives. I believe those are our top priorities to ensure a food secure community.
Kelowna Councillor – Maxine Dehart
- What do you think are the top priorities to ensure a food secure community?
Kelowna and the surrounding area has an abundance of agricultural wealth and financial wealth. We need to work together with food producers, schools, not-for-profits to create a comprehensive plan to ensure that we reduce the number of food insecure people in our community. It is unacceptable to me that in a region full of farms and orchards that there are children who do not know where there next meal is coming from.
- What are some ways you will support local farmers?
One of my key campaign priorities is to ensure that we provide affordable, reliable irrigation water to orchardists, farmers, and vineyards. Also that City Council should always work from the understanding that Agriculture and Agri-tourism are key parts of our community, culture, economy and our heritage and encourage people to Buy Local. We need to listen to farmers, understand their needs and try to develop policies that help them thrive.
- What are your plans for a permanent farmers market, which is easily accessible by transit, pedestrian, and vehicular traffic.
I do not have any plans, personally, for a permanent farmers’ market, but I am whole-heartedly supportive of the idea. I believe that it would be a strong tourist draw, it would keep our community in touch with our agricultural community and heritage, it would improve the quality of nutrition in our community, and it is good for the environment for people to buy food that is produced in their community. Whatever location is chosen should be in town centre, that is easily accessible by large numbers of people on foot and transit. This will help ensure its success.
- Would you change the regulations surrounding chickens and bees in urban areas?
Chickens no, I do not believe that they belong in urban areas, and we have plenty of agricultural land on which to raise animals. I would be open to discussion about bees as they are a vital part of pollination and therefore a vital part of our agricultural businesses.
- How are you going to increase the number of community gardens and farm-to-school programs?
With our growing seniors population and the rising cost of produce, I believe that community gardens are an excellent way to improve the nutrition of our community as well as the recreation and hobby opportunities for people in multi-family housing. With regard to farm-to-school programs, I do not fully understand what role City Council plays in these programs, if any. I would enjoy an opportunity to meet with your organization to learn more about these programs. I certainly support both community gardens and farm-to-school programs in principle as part of the solution to making Kelowna residents more food secure.
Kelowna Councillor – Robert Hobson
What do you think are the top priorities to ensure a food secure community?
Continue support for the ALR to preserve the land base. Connect local food producers to food programs at local institutions: Interior Health, School District 23, Okanagan College and UBCO as starters. They should be buying local.
What are some ways you will support local farmers?
I will support the policies listed above and will also support more community gardens and farmers markets. I would also favour connecting local producers to tourists—one idea I would like to promote is to create a cultural corridor on Benvoulin Road; we can interpret the amenities along that historic road and also attract visitors to artisans and food producers there.
What are your plans for a permanent farmers market, which is easily accessible by transit, pedestrian, and vehicular traffic.
I am generally supportive of the market proposed on Benvoulin. However, I would also like to see a market downtown as part of the Downtown Plan implementation.
Would you change the regulations surrounding chickens and / or bees in urban areas?
I am open to looking at proposals in this area but caution that neighbourhood impacts need to be taken into consideration, so they might not be suitable on our smallest lots.
How are you going to increase the number of community gardens and farm-to-school programs?
I have supported our grant in aid at the Regional District to the Community Gardens Society and will continue to do so. Not sure what the City’s role in farm to school programs would be but I am open to anything that would encourage this.
Lake Country – Councillor At Large – Jamie McEwan
What do you think are the top priorities to ensure a food secure community?
I think it would be best to answer this point-by-point.
1) Prevent urban sprawl with the promotion of proper land use management.
2) Promote a strong agricultural business atmosphere at the municipal level. After all, Lake Country was founded upon agriculture.
3) Work towards sustainable environmental practices that will lead to high quality air and water supply in our community.
4) Promote sustainable food production practices.
5) Encourage people and businesses in our community to shop locally and buy from local food suppliers.
6) Find ways to increase the use of our land for food production, from our back yards to large scale farming.
7) Support the Food Bank in its on-going work in Lake Country. The Food Bank has a very positive impact on our community, and it should be supported.
What are some ways you will support local farmers?
I would work with the elected Mayor and Council to put business incentives in place for local agriculture. We need to access staff and community expertise to find solutions that will work for local farmers. I want to be as collaborative as possible in finding ways to support our local farming community.
I will strive to engage the agricultural community throughout my time on DLC Council. I will advocate for decent, living wages for local farm workers and focus on getting local farmers access to more local markets.
Lake Country should work towards highlighting its agricultural roots through its continued economic development.
Would you change the regulations surrounding chickens and bees in urban areas?
I feel that residents in Lake Country should be provided with more opportunities to have “backyard chickens” or keep their own bees in parts of the community that are suitable for them. This will not only improve the local food supply but have a potential impact on the pollination of surrounding agriculture and green space in our community.
Lake Country has many parcels of land that would be suitable for hobby farms, small bee/pollination/honey operations and backyard chickens, specifically on large lots of land that would not impact neighbouring lots. The key with this issue would be to carefully examine each situation to make sure that the decision is right for the community overall.
How are you going to increase the number of community gardens and farm-to-school programs?
I will work with our community to find reasonable opportunities for community gardens in our community. There are already people on Lake Country that are working hard towards establishing and sustaining community gardens, and they should be commended and supported.
Farm-to-school programs need to be promoted to work towards providing healthy food in adequate quantities to our youth and families in the area. I would like to promote the use of locally-grown, direct from the farm produce in Lake Country’s schools. This work would complement the great work of the Lake Country Food Bank.
Peachland Councillor – Eric Hall
I am very supportive of local agriculture; farms and orchards are a big part of the beauty of the Okanagan valley.
Vineyards and wineries have done well recently but there seems to be little money to be made growing fruit; we need to try to change that.
I am very upset when I see Washington fruit on sale in BC especially here in the valley; but we have to work within the NAFTA.
At our home, we have organic fruit and vegetables delivered regularly and we visit farm markets whenever possible.
Do I support such things as urban chicken coops? – not in every area.
West Kelowna Councillor – Duane Ophus
1. What do you think are the top priorities to ensure a food secure community?
Preservation of farmland, minimizing incursions and conflicts with urban growth, access to an affordable water supply and finding ways to encourage young people to get involved in agriculture.
2. What are some ways you will support local farmers?
I have served for the last three years as one of our Regional District’s representatives on the Sterile Insect Release Board and strongly support their work, we can continue deliver land use decisions that support agriculture and we can work to help nuture famers. We have established an Agriculture Advisory Committee to help guide Council on these kinds of decisions.
3. What are your plans for a permanent farmers market, which is easily accessible by transit, pedestrian, and vehicular traffic?
Our District considers agriculture to be a priority and, despite being less than four hears old we have already completed a detailed Agriculture Plan with extensive industry and public consultation. Among the many innovative recomendations in our plan is a goal to find a location for a permanent farmers market which will enhance opportunities available to local farmers. A central, accessible location is key to the success of this initiative.
4. Would you change the regulations surrounding chickens and / or bees in urban areas?
We are fortunate in our District to have many properties where small scale agriculture is already happening or is possible. In my own neighbourhood we have a very successful farmgate market and at least one bee-keeper from whom we are able to purchase our food.
5. How are you going to increase the number of community gardens and farm-to-school programs?
I am very proud that we have already supported three community gardens in our community (as a volunteer worker as well) and our Agriculture Plan has a goal to continue to work on more of these in other neighbourhoods. Getting more local production into schools is not something we have worked on very much but we can – perhaps this is something we can consider in the context of other initiatives we are working on with the School Board.
