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Dairy industry challenges ‘factory farm’ depiction
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In wake of animal cruelty charges, dairy association says most farms are small and family run Jennifer Feinberg The Progress
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Sept. 3
Ryan Forbes (middle) and his Chilliwack Chiefs face Colton Kerfoot (left), Owen Stout (right) and the rest of the Coquitlam Express in the first round of the BCHL playoffs. The Chiefs host game one of the best-of-seven series tonight at Prospera Centre, with a 7 p.m. start. See page 26 for more. DARREN FRANCIS PHOTO
Budget debate brings more policing, bike lanes Public input to be sought sooner, council says Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Public safety and bike lanes were two spending priorities that came out on top after council finished an extensive budget wrangling session. By the end of Tuesday’s council meeting, the proposed tax increase of 1.89 per cent remained unchanged — but some of the specific funding priorities were switched up. Chilliwack council paused the budget approval process last
month to see if it could incorporate some public commentary and recommendations from the consultation process. Council was supposed to vote on the 2016 budget and financial plan Feb. 16, after holding a public information meeting, and listening to the views of the public. Concerns from citizens ranged from adding RCMP to the need for dedicated bike lanes, improved trails, as well as heritage protection, and revitalization of the Hope Slough. In the end, council rescinded
third reading of the budget and financial plan bylaw as it stood on March 1, and amended it to reflect a renewed emphasis in certain areas. On top of the two new RCMP officers already accounted for, there were will the ability to hire two information officers, which could free up police officer time, for additional $80,000. Another $100,000 was allocated to the bike lane program, and in turn, the public works budget will be shaved by $65,000, which had been earmarked for pump station inspection and ditch maintenance. Road resurfacing went
down by $115,000 to compensate for the extra RCMP and bike lane additions. Mayor Sharon Gaetz said it was good to see so many citizens involved in the engagement process, even the 92 who tried the new online engagement tool. She said council was talking to staff about moving up the budget consultation opportunity to the fall. She noted they had committed $100,000 to a preliminary study on restoring the Hope Slough, which could cost up to $12 million for the “full meal deal,” which meant full restoration. Continued: BUDGET/ p18
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B.C. Dairy Association offered a measured response to this week’s animal cruelty charges, emphasizing that the province’s dairy farmers are “extremely passionate” and dedicated to what they do. “As the representative organization of British Columbia’s dairy farmers, we respect the investigation by Crown counsel and the outcome of their investigation,” said BCDA spokesperson Trevor Hargreaves in a release. Late Tuesday the B.C. SPCA announced a total of 20 counts of animal cruelty had been laid against Chilliwack Cattle Sales LTD. Company and seven of its employees. The charges stem from a graphic undercover video shot by an animal rights group in 2014. “The events depicted in the Mercy For Animals video were greatly disturbing to those of us in the dairy industry at both the provincial and national level,” said Hargreaves, “as they were strongly contrary to acceptable industry animal care practices.” The BCDA supported a full investigation from the get-go. At the time, Chilliwack Cattle Sales’ Jeff Kooyman told The Progress the company was “horrified and shocked” by the footage. “We are devastated and deeply saddened,” by the abuse depicted on film, “and it in no way reflects the farming and animal care standards practised by our family or by the dairy industry.” In the wake of the incident, The BCDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the B.C. SPCA and implemented a close working relationship