The Hook: Political news, freshly caught
Southlands debate continues in Delta
A proposal to put a piece of Delta farmland back into the Agricultural Land Reserve is proving contentious as council heads into its third public hearing on the issue this evening. Read more…
Should There Be More Regulations on Big Tech?
- Yes.
- No.
- I don’t know.
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Are you watching the winter Olympics this year? Read the results of that poll here.
New West to revive farmers' market coupon program
New Westminster has decided to revive a once provincially-funded program that provides farmers' market coupons to low-income families. Read more…
Kwantlen approves sustainable agriculture degree
The Vancouver-based university has approved a new four-year degree program focused on teaching the next generation of farmers. Read more…
GMO bill struck down in Ottawa
A private members' bill that would have added a layer of scrutiny to genetically-modified (GM) seeds sold in Canada has been struck down. The bill, introduced by NDP MP Alex Atamanenko (Southern Interior, B.C.) was defeated in the House of Commons today, but Atamanenko is encouraged that the debate has come so far. Read more…
- Food and
- Federal Politics
North launches 'Drop the Pop' campaign
Health officials know that a lack of fresh, nutritious food is contributing to higher rates of obesity and diabetes in northern communities, including those in B.C. It's a problem compounded by the fact that unhealthy food options are typically cheaper. A new campaign launched this month by the Northwest Territories government is trying to tackle one of the biggest culprits: pop Read more…
Monsanto alfalfa could hurt Canada's organic markets: MP Atamanenko
Alex Atamanenko, federal NDP agriculture critic and MP for B.C.'s Southern Interior, says he is concerned Monsanto's genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa, which was deregulated yesterday in the United States, will eventually make its way into Canada. Read more…
- Food and
- Federal Politics
Metro responds to growth strategy criticism
Metro Vancouver has issued a response to a West Coast Environmental Law analysis that claims the region's new growth strategy plan could cause legal problems. At the heart of this argument are parcels of land in the Agricultural Land Reserve, in Aldergrove and Richmond's Garden City Lands, which have been designated as "general urban" or "industrial" under the plan. Read more…
Metro's growth strategy likely to cause legal problems: lawyer
Metro Vancouver's regional growth strategy, released earlier this month, identifies two areas of land in Aldergrove and Richmond as being available for urban residential development, even though these lands are part of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
Andrew Gage, staff lawyer for West Coast Environmental Law, says it could spell legal problems for Metro. Read more…
Radical changes required to feed the world: report
A new report commissioned by the British government argues for a return to more small-scale, sustainable agriculture in order to feed a projected population of 9 billion by 2050. Read more…
Reusable food-to-go cartons pioneered in Portland
Vancouver’s street food scene is starting to really cook, as city council yesterday approved 60 more vendor locations over the next four years. Portland, Oregon, offers another ingredient to add to the recipe. Read more…
Agriculture council wants food, farming on the leadership agenda
Encouraged by the release of Liberal leadership contender George Abbott's recent position statement on agriculture in the province, the B.C. Agriculture Council (BCAC) is encouraging the other NDP and Liberal candidates to do the same if they want farmers' votes. Read more…
- Food and
- BC Politics
Scientists suspect virus may be cause of salmon deaths
A report published on January 14 suggests that an unidentified virus may be responsible for high mortality levels among Fraser River sockeye salmon. Read more…
- Food and
- Environment
Board approves growth plan for Metro Vancouver
Metro Vancouver's Regional Growth Strategy, officially approved by the board this morning aims to create more compact, walkable communities close to transit and jobs -- but critics worry it could threaten farmland. Read more…
BC salmon farms increase sea lice numbers: Report
A new report says fish farms in the Broughton Archipelago encourage "exponential" growth of sea lice populations and pose a major challenge to the industry and to regulators. Read more…
- Food and
- Environment
Sea lice didn't hurt salmon in 2002: report
The B.C. Salmon Farmers Association has cited a new scientific report as evidence that sea lice didn't cause the decline of the 2002 pink salmon run in the Broughton Archipelago. Read more…
Fish farmers respond to Cohen ruling
The B.C. Salmon Farmers' Association has responded to the Cohen Commission's demand for more information on the health of farmed salmon going back to the year 2000. Read more…
- Food and
- Environment
Proposed gas plant too close to homes, farms say Peace residents
A natural gas processing plant proposed on 40 acres of Agricultural Land Reserve near Dawson Creek has residents in the region concerned about what will happen to their farms and their property values. Read more…
- Food and
- Environment
Cohen orders fish farms to submit health data back to 2000
Commissioner Bruce Cohen has ordered the B.C. Salmon Farmers' Association to submit data on salmon health and mortality dating back as far as the year 2000, and covering an additional 99 fish farms. Read more…
- Food and
- Environment
BC company seeks approval for 'non-browning' apple
An B.C. biotech company is seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture for a genetically-modified, non-browning apple. Read more…
Migrant workers win historic contract
A group of seasonal workers in Abbotsford have won what their union calls a precedent setting contract that includes higher wages and benefits like overtime pay and statutory holidays. Read more…
