Dear Editor,
Let’s get one thing straight, city council’s decision to defer the farmhouse size decision is simply a deflection. It denies the real issues, which are the destruction of the Agricultural Land Reserve and our children’s food supply for the benefit of a few, wealthy elite.
This month, the majority of our city council members stated that more data and public consultation are needed before a formal review is taken regarding the square-feet size limitation put on farmhouses. Of course, collecting the data and possibly hiring consultants are expensive, leading many of us to scratch our heads and ask: Exactly how many more public consultations and reviews do we need, while forking over taxpayer money to stop the exploitation of our farmland by wealthy individuals who want to use this loophole to avoid paying taxes?
The logical answer is simple: Zero.
We do not need to spend more money on researching a clearly flawed plan. Rather, we need our city council members to make the right decision instead of the easy or convenient one. We need them to make a decision that is best for us and not their political donors.
It is painfully obvious that city council should follow the provincial 5,382 square feet (500 square metres) maximum farmhouse guidelines and implement that as the bylaw. Special exemptions should be rare, only made for legitimate farmers, and issued on a case-by-case basis.
We expect ethical leadership, principled policies, good governance, and moral stewardship from our elected officials, whether they are local, provincial, or federal politicians.
Moreover, we expect those decisions to be based on the common good of the entire community, and not decisions that favour a few powerful and well-connected lobbyists.
With the new BC NDP government in British Columbia, we may expect changes to the Ministry of Agriculture guidelines regarding maximum house size on farmland. Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham has alluded to a comprehensive review. But why wait until the recommended guidelines are changed by new legislation? Why not be leaders on this critical issue that affects us and other local communities?
City council has an opportunity to make the right decision. Let’s not defer, deflect, deny, or destroy our ability feed ourselves.
Let’s preserve our farmland and our future food security. Let’s do what is right for us and not what is right for influential big money donors.
Add your voice by emailing council: [email protected].
Jack Trovato
Richmond
