British Columbia’s Agricultural Land Preservation Program

1. British Columbia’s Agricultural Land Preservation Program Presentation to New Public Consortia Project Brazil – Canada alliance October 16, 2007

2. What is the Agricultural Land Reserve? • ALR - a provincial land use zone where: • agriculture is recognized as the priority use; • non-farm uses and subdivision are regulated; and • farming is encouraged ALR in BC

3. 5% of Province 4.7 million hectares ALR in BC

4. Why does British Columbia need the ALR? • Limited supply of agricultural land in BC • Rapidly expanding population threatens farmland • Food security (ability to feed ourselves) and agriculture industry ALR in BC

5. British Columbia’s Agricultural Land Preservation Program Why ? • Limited supply of arable land in BC • Local governments not up to the job • Only 1.1% prime farmland (class 1-3) • + 6000 ha /yr ag. land converted to other uses • Rapidly expanding population • Global / public / political concern • Political will ALR in BC

6. Getting the ALR in Place • Dec 1972 & Jan 1973 – Cabinet orders prohibit subdivision, non-farm use of farmland • Apr 1973 - Land Commission Act adopted • 1973-1975 ALR designated in multi-step process with local government’s refining Ministry of Agriculture maps, followed by an internal government review. ALR in BC

7. The ALR - Designation - 1974 – 1976 Considerations: • Maintain farm communities intact • Land receiving farm assessment • Land locally zoned for farming • Allow for five years of urban growth / lands substantially serviced ALR in BC

8. Agricultural Land Commission Act • Creates the Agricultural Land Commission and gives it authority to regulate land use within the ALR • Provides application process for changing land use within ALR • Enables Provincial Cabinet to declare a matter before the Commission to be in the provincial interest ALR in BC

9. Québec also protects farmland • Loi (de 1978) sur la protection du territoire agricole • ZAP (zone agricole permanente) • Code Civile allows regulation of property sales from multi-parcel farms • Also has provision for Cabinet to declare a “provincial interest” (first used last week)

11. B.C. is the most urbanized province in Canada - 84.7% Two Areas of B.C. Contain: • 2.7% of Provincial Land Area • 81% of BC’s Population(2001) • 81% of Annual Gross Farm Receipts($2000)   ALR in BC

12. Purposes of the Commission • to preserve agricultural land • to encourage farming on agricultural land in collaboration with other communities of interest • encourage others to accommodate farm use of agricultural land & uses compatible with agriculture in their plans, bylaws & policies ALR in BC

13. Who is the Commission? • Administrative tribunal independent of elected Minister • 19 members appointed by government, including 1 Chair and 6 Vice-Chairs • Members include farmers, former local officials and others concerned with agricultural land preservation • Appointed from 6 regions of the province ALR in BC

14. Application Process • Applications to exclude, include, subdivide or utilize ALR for non-farm uses may be submitted by landowners, local governments or First Nations • Most landowner applications must be authorized by local government before proceeding to the Commission • Decisions on applications area made by the regional panels ALR in BC

15. Commission Role in Land Use • Regulates land use and subdivision within the ALR through application process and enforcement • Local government official community plans and by- laws are of no effect if they are inconsistent with the Agricultural Land Commission Act • The Commission & Ministry of Agriculture & Lands work with local governments to develop their plans and by-laws to ensure consistency with Act and support for agriculture ALR in BC

16. Balancing Interests • Public interest in agricultural land preservation vs. private property “rights” • Applicant’s interest vs. third party interests • Provincial interest in agricultural land preservation vs. other provincial interests (economy, transportation infrastructure, etc.) • Public interest in agricultural land preservation vs. needs of local communities (urban growth) ALR in BC

17. Governance Challenges • No prescribed method of balancing many different public interests • Independent members appointed by elected officials • Decisions by Commission must be made in public interest and allow for public input • Local governments and other agencies have many powers and more resources – Commission must cooperate on many issues ALR in BC

18. Growth in the Lower Mainland • 80% projected population increase 1999- 2040 (44,400 people per year)* • Greater Vancouver Regional District will grow from 2.2 to 3 million by 2031 (36%) • 98% projected increase in housing demand + growth in employment lands* • “Second wave” of pressure on agricultural land throughout lower mainland as communities exhaust vacant urban land *Source: Urban Futures Institute ALR in BC

19. Urban Growth – Agriculture Connection • Food security: a safe, secure supply of food in a post-oil world • Farm economy: $2 billion industry • Farmland preservation and livable communities inextricably linked ALR in BC

20. Who makes the decisions about managing growth? • Individuals: driving market force • Municipal government: Official Community Plans • Regional government: allocates growth among municipalities • Agricultural Land Commission: may exclude land to meet pressing community need ALR in BC

21. How do we manage growth? • The ALR: it’s not enough! • Changing public behaviour and preferences • Smart growth: increasing urban densities • Provincial, regional and local planning: getting it together ALR in BC

22. Resources www.alc.gov.bc.ca Phone 604-660-7000