skyfest 2015 fundraiser PAGE A3
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
relay for life set to go PAGE A11
VOL. 101 NO. 76
rush relay results PAGE A16
www.quesnelobserver.com
1
$ 30
PM 40005365
includes GST
NDP CRITIC
ALR land use questioned AUTUMN MacDONALD Observer Reporter Speaking to concerned Cariboo residents, NDP agriculture critic Lana Popham said time is of the essence. Earlier this month the B.C. government spoke to farmland being purchased by foreign companies in exchange for carbon credits, noting a far greater hectare amount than originally thought. Initially government acknowledged 1,500 hectares of agriculture land reserve were being breached, then upon the opposition’s request, an additional 8,000 hectares was discovered. “It’s escalating very quickly,” Popham said, noting the key issue is government’s lack of any “hard numbers.” In response to rising concerns, Popham, along with colleagues from the Opposition Standing Committee for Agriculture and Food, have been travelling around the province hearing concerns about large corporations planting trees for carbon credits in the ALR. Those concerns were heard loud and clear during a meeting in the Gold Pan City last week. “The main thing we’re hearing from farmers is this legislation is essentially stealing food security,” she said. Popham also spoke to the manner in which the trees are planted, noting the close proximity, the lack of after-care and the method of leaving large divots in the soil, creating a hazard for farm animals and wildlife. The agriculture critic also noted the use of pesticides, water consumption and the 100-year land covenant. “Serious problems require serious solutions,” she said. “That’s why I will be bringing forward a private members bill that would require those who want to use ALR land for carbon offset schemes to go through the Agricultural Land Commission. “The legislation would have the commission assess the proposed land-use and approve it only if it is in the best interest of agriculture.” Popham said the bill (being introduced this week) highlights the need for change now, noting the uncertainty of when the legislature will reconvene. “We need to stop talking about this and deal with it.”
Market abundance As the season heats up, produce, plants, value-added products, arts and crafts and ready-to-eat foods are plentiful. Quesnel Farmers’ Market is every Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the Helen Dixon grounds in downtown Quesnel. Autumn MacDonald photo
www.cancer.ca/relay www.cancer.ca/relay
www.cancer.ca/relay
Text begins here. . . www.cancer.ca/relay
Text begins here. . . www.cancer.ca/relay
July 16th - 19th
Text begins here. . .
Text begins here. . .
ww.cancer.ca/relay
Good day, Quesnel. Thanks for reading — and that includes loyal subscriber Cecil Popoff! To join the Observer family, please call 250-992-2121 and ask for circulation.
Join us onTextSaturday, begins here. . . May 30 10:00 am - 10:00 pm LeBourdais Park celebrate
remember
fight back
celebrate
remember
fight back