The agriculture sector has some interests to explore further

VICTORIA, B.C. – February 28, 2023: Today, British Columbia’s government released its 2023 budget under the new Premier, David Eby. As anticipated, British Columbia’s Finance Minister, Katrine Conroy, announced an increased focus on healthcare, public safety, and housing.

Noteworthy to agriculture in the announcement included things such as, but not limited to:

• $160M Food Security Initiative, $111M is going to Ministry of Agriculture & Food for supplementary funding.
• $100M Watershed Security Fund.
• $85M over three years for emergency readiness.
• A point-of-sale reduction versus the existing rebate system in the carbon tax for greenhouse operations.

BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) was pleased to see the Food Security Initiative and will be seeking additional information from Ministry of Agriculture staff as to what that will entail.

Each fall, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services holds province-wide public consultations on the next provincial budget. BCAC and its members have the opportunity to present to the Committee. To learn more about what the Committee’s recommendations were following their consultations, their report can be found here.

The government’s recent budget announcement can be found here: BC Budgets

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For more information:
Tristyn MacLeod Communications Coordinator
T: (604) 854-4454
E: tmacleod@bcac.ca