Policy & Positions Manual
Provincial Issues - Agriculture
Agricultural Land Reserve (2005)
Up to the 1970's, nearly 6,000 hectares of prime agricultural land were lost each year to urbanization and other uses. The Provincial Government responded to the serious erosion of our agricultural land base by introducing BC's Land Commission Act (the Act) on April 18, 1973.
A commission, appointed by the Provincial Government, established a special land use zone to protect BC's dwindling supply of agricultural land. This zone was called the “Agricultural Land Reserve” (ALR). The ALR was established between 1974 to 1976 through co-operative efforts with regional districts and member municipalities. Local input on an ALR plan was gained through a public hearing process.
Initially the ALR comprised 4.7 million hectares, or 5% of the province. Despite boundary changes over the decades, its area remains approximately the same.
There have been questions raised concerning the effectiveness of BC's Land Commission Act. It is felt that after some 30 years in existence, that a review be conducted.
THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS
That the Provincial Government form a committee to review BC's Land Commission Act, specifically to review:
- that the objectives as specified in the Act are still appropriate; and
- that the Commission and the administration of the ALR effectively accomplish the objectives of the Act.
