Whereas the Agricultural Land Commission ALC is a cornerstone of protecting British Columbias finite and irreplaceable agricultural land base, yet has been compelled to reduce staffing levels solely as a result of inadequate and insufficient provincial funding; And whereas these staffing reductions significantly impair the ALCs ability to fulfill its legislated mandate, weaken regulatory oversight, and reflect a serious failure by the Province to prioritize agricultural protection amid escalating pressures on food security, farmland loss, and the long-term viability of the agriculture sector: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM formally convey its strong concern to the Government of British Columbia that chronic provincial underfunding has directly resulted in staffing cuts at the ALC and has undermined confidence in the Provinces commitment to safeguarding agricultural land; And be it further resolved that the Province of British Columbia be urgently called upon to immediately restore, stabilize, and significantly increase funding to the Agricultural Land Commission, and to unequivocally recognize and act upon the protection of agricultural land and the agriculture sector as a critical and non-negotiable provincial priority.
