Some Greater Victoria municipalities are taking action to alter a CRD bylaw that, if passed, would create a new Foodlands Access Service,

B次元官网网址淭hey're going to foist additional property taxes on all of our residents on something that we donB次元官网网址檛 control,B次元官网网址� said North Saanich Mayor, and CRD board member, Peter Jones.

The Foodlands Access Service is a program designed to facilitate affordable access to farmland for new and young farmers, aiming to promote regional food security by coordinating the preservation and access to agricultural land.

Several Peninsula farmers have spoken out against the new bylaw, which would requisition up to $1 million from municipalities each year.

Jason Austin, a Central Saanich farmer, outlined his concerns with the service in emails to the CRD and municipal councils. Austin took issue with the bylaw for not only being ineffective B次元官网网址� arguing that farmers in the region contribute marginally to the region's food security B次元官网网址� but for being implemented under an Alternate Approval Process (AAP).

B次元官网网址淭he AAP is an underhanded method to give the appearance that the public were consulted, but in reality, the public are seldom aware the AAP exists and only find out about it after it has closed,B次元官网网址� said Austin.

The AAP gives the CRD the ability to instate new bylaws and services unless 10 per cent of eligible electors within the CRD B次元官网网址� 33,194 people B次元官网网址� complete a response form expressing their opposition to the project. The AAP process closed on Jan. 15 and the results are set to be ratified at the next board meeting.

Members of North Saanich council seemed surprised to learn about the AAP and the potential implementation of the bylaw so late in the process.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been vice-chair of the finance committee for two years. I do not remember this coming in front of us,B次元官网网址� said Jones.

A staff member said the bylaw had not been brought before the finance committee because the service had not yet been established. Upon its establishment, the CRD would consult with the committee when creating a budget.

B次元官网网址淚 find it totally ironic that farming communities, rural communities, donB次元官网网址檛 seem to have much input into this,B次元官网网址� said Jones.

B次元官网网址淲hen you go to the CRD, the core group that have no farms B次元官网网址� except for Saanich B次元官网网址� get to call the shots on what happens to this community. IB次元官网网址檝e got a problem with it.B次元官网网址�

Ultimately, on Jan. 27, North Saanich passed a motion for a representative to voice the municipalityB次元官网网址檚 opposition to the AAP and the adoption of the Foodlands bylaw.

B次元官网网址淭he people who have the least amount of agricultural land will be the ones deciding who pays for it, which is us B次元官网网址� and we donB次元官网网址檛 have a say,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Kristine Marshall.

That same day, Central Saanich council voted to write a letter to the CRD board requesting that B次元官网网址渢he CRD reconsider the current Foodlands proposal and have a public discussion that includes information on options, evidence and a public vote.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭he problem with anything with the CRD is itB次元官网网址檚 not a bad organization per se, but it does leave the opportunity for large amounts of money to go there unchecked, in perpetuity,B次元官网网址� said Central Saanich Coun. Chris Graham when discussing AustinB次元官网网址檚 request to council.

In Victoria, at a Jan. 30 council meeting, Coun. Marg Gardiner raised the issue of the AAP, recommending that staff report on increases to the CRD budget with specific impacts on Victoria and CRD's AAP processes. Gardiner also noted that neither of the CRDB次元官网网址檚 current AAPs had been discussed at Victoria council.

B次元官网网址淭axpayers should know what they are being asked to fund before a decision is made,B次元官网网址� said Gardiner.

B次元官网网址淭he general public does not know whatB次元官网网址檚 happening. They sincerely donB次元官网网址檛. It is part of our job to make sure the residents of this city are informed.B次元官网网址�

GardinerB次元官网网址檚 motion failed on a tie, with Gardnier along with Coun. Stephen Hammond, Mayor Marianne Alto and Coun. Chris Coleman voting in support and Coun. Dave Thompson, Coun. Susan Kim, Coun. Matt Dell and Coun. Jeremy Caradonna voting in opposition. 

Despite a recommendation from CRD staff in 2023 that the CRD canvas municipalities for feedback when establishing the service, the board declined to do so.