MLA Juan de Fuca

Community Report JANUARY 2014 pg 1 of 2 Agricultural Land Commission’s independence at risk ast month I wrote about the BC From an economic perspective, the when it comes to listening to experts and the Liberal government’s plans to reduce agriculture industry brings billions of dollars result is more costs for consumers and business Lthe Agricultural Land Commission’s a year to our province’s economy. An amazing at a time when most can least afford it. independence and ability to protect the accomplishment since our farmers receive the When the new Legislative session begins Agricultural Land Reserve. Their scheme gives least provincial government support in all of in the coming weeks, I’ll be working with my control of land use decisions for nearly half of Canada. colleagues to hold government to account our province to the Oil and Gas Commission, On a related matter, my colleague and on these important issues. It has been seven and allows for the government to take over Environment critic, , months since the government called MLAs Community and I recently sent a letter to Energy Minister together to work on solving the challenges in Office the rest of the Commission’s independent responsibilities. calling on the government to our communities and across the province. The restore independent oversight over the Site C evidence around the importance of food and WEST SHORE OFFICE The Agricultural Land Commission was Dam project and expand public hearings. I am food production is clear. With these statistics Monday–Friday established in 1973, when then Dave deeply concerned about the lack of oversight and a province so rich with agricultural land, 10am–4pm Barrett recognized the need to permanently by independent agencies such as the BC I’ll be asking why our government is looking protect our province’s valuable agricultural land NEW LOCATION Utilities Commission and the Agricultural Land to dismantle our protective agencies and lessen – some of the most fertile in all of Canada. The 122–2806 Jacklin Rd Commission when it comes to BC Hydro. With safeguards for our province’s food supply. Victoria, BC Commission then established a special land use close to 4,000 hectares of prime BC farmland at Here in Juan de Fuca, our population zone, the Agricultural Land Reserve, to protect T: 250-391-2801 stake, I think everyone has cause for concern. is increasing at a rapid rate. More and more BC’s supply of agricultural land. Accountability at BC Hydro is essential if we are people are taking an interest in purchasing john.horgan.mla Only five per cent of BC’s land base is to contain the runaway rate increases forecast locally grown food and are understanding the @leg.bc.ca productive farmland and we produce only for the coming 5 years. increasing need for food security now and into www.johnhorgan.ca about half as much food as we consume. If Site C is the right project for the the future. We need to protect our valuable According to the 2012 report from the United province, it will withstand oversight by these food producing regions and the industries Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel independent agencies and scrutiny from people they support, not have a government that on Global Sustainability, if things continue ollow John on across the entire province, not just those in the as they are, the world will need at least 50 per Facebook – become north. The government track record is sketchy continued on page 2 cent more food by 2030. a ‘friend’ today! COMMUNITY EVENTS Starting Jan 15 Operation Kidsafe Child Jan 25 Winter Walk in Jan 25 Robbie Burns Night. Jan 25 Encore of Jan 26 Robbie Burns Dinner. Fingerprinting Station. The Kidsafe system produces Nature. Walk a wintry trail Join the Shirley Hill Boogies in ‘’s Got Talent’. Traditional dinner of Haggis, a lifetime safety record of a child and if there is ever with a CRD Regional Parks a celebration of Robbie Burns Talents of Metchosin taters and neeps – all the an emergency, parents will then be better prepared naturalist to observe and with a concert featuring the Youth. Last year’s show was fixings of a Robbie Burns to give law enforcement vital information so they reflect upon the natural world Celtic Reflections. Only 70 tickets a blast. This year is even dinner with entertainment and can act quickly. Jenner Chevrolet-Buick-GMC plans to we encounter during this available at Shirley Delicious, The better! Sponsored by the frivolities. Tickets available at provide this service to all local families free of charge season of cold. Meet at the Stick in the Mud and the Metchosin Youth Action the Sooke Legion Bar for $35. and only the parent gets a record of the visit. The Witty’s Lagoon Nature Centre Shoppers Drug Mart. Tickets are Project and students of Cocktails at 5, dinner at 6pm. latest Operation Kidsafe all-digital equipment will be off Metchosin Rd. Ages 5 $15 or 2 for $25, 7:30-9:30pm, Pearson College. Sooke Legion, 6726 Eustace on site full-time starting January 15 at Jenner, and up, 1-2:30pm, free. Shirley Community Hall. Info: Info: Grant Sawyer Rd. Info: 250-642-4414. 1730 Old Island Hwy. Info: 250-474-1211. Info: CLICK HERE. [email protected]/FB 250-474-5903. continued on page 2 John Horgan MLA Juan de Fuca Community Report JANUARY 2014 pg 2 of 2

ALC from page 1  Last Fall, John Grant Search Assistance participated in the undermines the independence of Are you looking for grant funding for a project? The Legislative Library has access to Great Canadian the Agricultural Land Commission. a database and can assist in searching for grant funding organizations. This database Shoreline Cleanup, I urge you to let Ministers Pimm lists hundreds of corporate community investment programs, government funding hosted by Surfrider and Bennett know your views. You programs and American foundations that will fund Canadian charities. Island can send them your thoughts at: All requests are confidential and library staff are non-partisan. You can make your chapter and BC Parks. Minister Pat Pimm request through our office, or to contact the Legislative Library, CLICK HERE. John worked with Ministry of Agriculture Kate Wilson, PO BOX 9043, STN PROV GOVT Calling Volunteer Firefighters from Combing the Victoria, BC V8W9E2 Coast, and many Many of you may have out fires or provide rescue and emergency E-Mail: [email protected] other volunteers to heard that the Sooke Fire medical services. Volunteers can assist Tel: 250 387-1023 help clean up Rescue Service has recently with community relations such as the Sombrio Beach. Minister Bill Bennett been advised that an area promotion of fire safety and educational Ministry of Energy and Mines north of Sooke will be programs. PO Box 9060 Stn Prov Govt downgraded to a lower Perhaps now is the time that you Victoria, BC V8W9E2 protection rate. They have can fulfill that wish to help your E-Mail: [email protected] one year to increase their number of community. If you’re interested in  Many Tel: 250-387-5896 firefighters before their insurance rates learning what it takes to become a Sooke thanks to Once our agricultural land rise significantly. Fire Rescue volunteer, CLICK HERE. everyone who has been developed, we won’t be With continued growth, recruitment For other areas of the region: attended our able to get it back. The land use and retention of volunteer firefighters has > East Sooke, Malahat, Port Renfrew Open House decisions we make today are ones been a challenge for many of our local and Shirley: CLICK HERE. in December. that we, and many generations to departments. > Highlands: CLICK HERE. John is seen Volunteer fire departments provide come, will have to live with. > Langford: CLICK HERE. here with a wide range of emergency and non- friends > Metchosin: CLICK HERE. John Horgan, MLA Juan de Fuca emergency services to our communities. Kody Bell & www.johnhorgan.ca Not all volunteers are expected to put > Otter Point: CLICK HERE. Mark Bridges.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Jan 26 Family Learning Tour Jan 29 Ready, Set, Learn. Jan 29 Bedtime Feb 5 Sooke Food Feb 12 Awareness Film Night’s Feb 26 Public Consultation for in celebration of Family Literacy Sooke School District invites Shenanigans. Ready, Set, CHI Annual General ”Kuper Island: Return to the People With Disabilities – Register Day. The Westshore Family 3 & 4 year-olds and their Learn invites children 0–5yrs Meeting. Come to Healing Circle”. There will be Now! You’re invited to share your Learning Tour will be hosting families to attend this to join them for pre-bedtime the Sooke Harbour a post screening talk and slide thoughts about how government, this second free, fun-filled event great event! Kids can play fun. There will be games, House for the AGM show with residential school businesses and communities can better aimed at bringing awareness and learn with hands- snacks, stories and songs. with deserts and tea. survivors Alex Nelson and Belvie support people with disabilities to to the literacy and learning on activities and receive Running shoes suggested and Sooke Harbour Brebber. Carey Newman will fully participate in our communities. that happens in our daily a goody bag full of fun! PJ’s are fine. Activities are in House Potlatch speak about his Witness Blanket Consultations are being held to form lives. Events are all around the Parents can find out how the gym at Ecole John Stubbs Room at 7:30pm. art project. 7pm Edward Milne a White Paper which will be discussed Westshore from 12 to 4pm. to support their child’s from 6 to 7pm. Free with no Info: CLICK HERE. Community School. Admission at a Summit in June 2014. Sessions are Prizes, games and some snacks learning and development. registration required. Info: by donation. Info: CLICK HERE. filling up quickly so register now for too! Check out their listing and Westshore Town Centre [email protected] Victoria sessions (1:30 to 4pm or 7 to find one or two that you can from 12 to 4pm and Sooke 9:30pm). You must register on line to attend. Info: CLICK HERE for Community Hall from 10am Do you have an upcoming community event? Send full event attend: CLICK HERE. locations, times and map. to 1pm. Info: CLICK HERE. information to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to fit it in!