[BCFSN] Bill 24 facing closure

[Jim Wright]

Thanks, Arzeena,

I¹ve just sent a message to WCEL asking them to update their Bill 24
response form by this evening so that we can use it as an efficient way to
send a message to ministers, MLAs, etc., that respond to the new reality.
There are some other details I¹ve asked people there to take care of, so
I¹ll paste it in at the bottom in case anyone cares.

I¹ll let you know early this evening what happens. (Have to go soon. Away
from email for much of the afternoon.)

Regards,
Jim Wright
Garden City Conservation Society

Arzeena, if this doesn¹t reach the COABC listserv people (because I¹m not
part of it), please forward it to them. Thanks!

From:  Arzeena Hamir <arzeenahamir at shaw.ca>
Date:  Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 2:08 PM
To:  COABC Listserve <coabc_list at certifiedorganic.bc.ca>, BCFSN list
<food at bcfsn.org>
Subject:  [BCFSN] Fwd: Bill 24 facing closure

Via Vicki Huntington, MLA.

Very bad news for the ALR.

Arzeena

Amara Farm
Courtenay, BC
(250) 702-5657
https://www.facebook.com/AmaraFarm
https://twitter.com/arzeena

> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Huntington.MLA, Vicki [mailto:Vicki.Huntington.MLA at leg.bc.ca]
> Sent: May-27-14 1:37 PM
> To: undisclosed-recipients:
> Subject: Bill 24 facing closure
> 
> Good afternoon,
> This morning, the government moved to end debate on Bill 24 by 5:30 pm on
> Thursday. Even if the legislation hasn't been examined clause-by-clause,
> which would require the minister to answer for its many flaws, it will be
> passed on Thursday.
> 
> As you know, this legislation threatens the future of agriculture and food
> security in B.C. The government spin is that this bill is designed to help
> farmers, but ninety-five per cent of the applications to exclude land from
> the ALR come from landowners who have no intention of engaging in
> agricultural activity.
> 
> I have spoken against the bill at every opportunity and will continue to do
> so, both in the legislature and publicly. I do not believe this bill was
> drafted with adequate data that looked at climate change, food security, and
> soil science, as well as the bill's likely effect on agricultural jobs and
> increasing land prices, which will shut out new farmers. The government's
> pledge to consult on the regulations of this terrible law is embarrassing
> and inadequate - no meaningful consultation took place prior to the bill's
> introduction. The government's own amendments to the bill do not represent
> significant improvements, and in at least one case they've made the bill
> worse, by giving Cabinet-ordered exclusion application reviews more
> opportunities to succeed.
> 
> Even if there is no time for meaningful debate, I will ensure the minister
> receives all of my questions. The government must answer for this
> legislation, and I would ask you to keep writing letters. If the government
> can't answer for this bill, then the legislation should be repealed.
> 
> Thank you for taking the time to write.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Vicki Huntington
> MLA, Delta South
> 
> 


From: Jim Wright <gardencitylands at shaw.ca>
Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 2:10 PM
Subject: FW: Bill 24 facing closure

Andrew, Anna, Ashley, Elizabeth and Nicholas (alphabetical order),

I plan to send out letters this evening to lists encouraging everyone to
respond to Independent MLA Vicki Huntington¹s request. Let¹s not go down
without a fight to the end.

The efficient way for them to do that is through the WCEL form with a new
default  message that expresses the current situation.

If we¹re going to do that, we need someone at WCEL to update the message to
reflect the new stage reflected in Vicki Huntington¹s message.

We also need someone (Ashley, I imagine) to ensure that all the new messages
will get through (not be rejected/deleted as duplicates, which they will
certainly not be).

I¹m also hoping that someone (Andrew or Anna, I imagine) can do something
that appears latest  in the current items on the WCEL home page.

I¹m scrambling to get ready to present at a council meeting this afternoon,
so I hope I can leave it with you and then see what has been possible for
you and follow up with my own action via lists this evening.

Everyone, please let us know if/when you take action.

Thanks!
Jim Wright
778-320-1936 (but off for much of the afternoon)



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