Farmland & Food Security in British Columbia, Canada

The Federal Government of Canada, through the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, is in the process of divesting itself of a 220 - acre parcel of farmland in Surrey BC. This parcel of land ~considered to be the most fertile farmland in BC if not Western Canada ~  produces 25 per cent, or more, of B.C.'s potatoes, carrots, cabbage and squash from May through July.

Unfortunately, this parcel of land, surrounded by warehouses,  is located in an area designated as warehouse development in the City of Surrey's Official Community Plan (OCP). The loss of this fertile land would decrease BC’s food security and access to fresh local food as well as increasing our dependency on imported food.

Given the impact of climate change on local and foreign food production, including a once -in- millennial drought in California, coupled with the continued loss of farmland to industrial and residential development in BC, we demand that ownership of this parcel of land located at 192nd Street near 36th Avenue be transferred to the government of BC and added to the BC Agricultural Land Bank for protection and continued food production.

Concerned Citizens

Reference Article; CBC regional report : https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/campbell-heights-farmers-1.6482106