MAPLE RIDGE – NDP MLA Michael Sather spoke out in the Legislature Tuesday to save a 100 year old Maple Ridge farm that was formerly protected by the Agricultural Land Reserve. 

“The slated development of Jackson Farm is another example of the Agricultural Land Commission, under the Campbell government, taking land out of the ALR and handing it over to private developers,” said Sather, the MLA for Maple Ridge Pitt-Meadows.

“In Maple Ridge, we're dealing with the constant pressure of development while trying to protect and maintain our agricultural lands.”Michael Sather

Forty acres of green zone on the Jackson Farm is slated for property development.

“I ask how could this happen? It seems to me that there is something very wrong with the Agricultural Land Commission that they could remove a property like this from the ALR,” said Sather in the House. “It puts into question the Commission's mandate, which I understood to be protecting agriculture.”

Sather says there are almost 2,000 fewer farms in B.C. since the Campbell government took power. 

“When it comes to the Lower Mainland, I've seen the loss of lands in Maple Ridge, Chilliwack, Abbottsford most recently in Delta,” said Sather. “This poses great concern to the future of farming in this province and the protection of green spaces which ultimately impact our environment.” 

The New Democrats are currently undertaking a province-wide tour to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture in B.C. Please visit www.foodforbc.ca for more information.

Michael Sather

Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows

Michael Sather was re-elected as the MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows on May 12, 2009. He was first elected to the Legislature in 2005.