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From YouTube: OCT 25 2022 Statements Ian Paton
Description
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
3rd Session
42nd Parliament
A
Member
for
Delta
South,
thank
you.
Mr
Speaker,
organized
by
the
BC
agriculture,
Council
BC
AG
day
is
a
reminder
to
all
British
Columbians
how
fortunate
we
are
to
have
such
dedicated
people
producing
food
for
our
Province.
It
is
important
to
understand
how
the
decision
to
buy
local
supports,
Farmers,
ranchers
producers
and
processors,
as
well
as
our
communities.
A
Their
dedication
to
their
craft
has
helped
them
overcome
major
challenges,
such
as
the
unprecedented
pandemic
and
a
series
of
climate
events
that
cause
much
damage
to
crops,
land
structures,
equipment
and
livelihoods.
The
covid-19
pandemic
intensified
concerns
over
food
security
and
how
easily
our
food
system
could
be
disrupted.
It
highlighted
the
necessity
of
Agriculture
Investments
to
ensure
access
to
food
for
British
Columbians
Our
Last
Summer
in
BC
also
brought
to
light
additional
challenges
of
extremely
hot
and
dry
Summers,
which
negatively
affected
our
food
production.
Many
farmers
were
also
faced
with
devastating
floods.
A
Last
year,
the
atmospheric
River
caused
major
damage
as
Farm
Fields,
Barns
and
homes
were
destroyed
and
livestock
killed.
These
are
stressors.
Farmers
must
deal
with
throughout
the
year,
yet
they
continue
their
work
without
fault
to
keep
our
Province
fed.
Let
us
never
forget
Mr
Speaker,
the
volatile
and
high
risk
livelihood
of
farming
and
ranching
drought,
rain,
Frost
disease
and
viruses
and
soaring
costs
of
production
can
take
you
down
in
a
heartbeat
on
top
of
those
challenges.
A
A
We
will
continue
to
advocate
for
British
Columbia's
farmers
and
their
efforts
to
improve
BC's
food
security
for
current
and
future
Generations
AG
day
is
not
only
a
great
day
to
connect
legislators
with
Farmers,
but
the
day
also
increases
awareness
of
agriculture's
positive
impact
on
the
local
economy,
while
giving
farmers
and
ranchers
an
opportunity
to
share
ideas
and
solutions
to
the
sector's
challenges
with
mlas
here
in
Victoria.
Thank
you,
Mr
Speaker.