The BC Conservatives have called on the NDP to combat illegal dumping and the construction of mega-mansions on farmland.
Delta South MLA and Agriculture Critic Ian Paton accused Premier David Eby and the ruling party of allowing an "assault" on the province's fertile ground.
"An issue here all over British Columbia is the illegal dumping of fill on our precious farmland," he said, pointing at the pile behind him. "Of course this crap fill material is coming from construction sites all over the Lower Mainland and it's going to farmland to be dumped because it's inexpensive to put it on farmland."
Paton said in no uncertain terms that "this has to stop," explaining that "once that goes on top of our good black soil, we can never get that black soil remediated and back again into growing food in our province."
He went on to slam the BC NDP for failing to crack down on illegal dumping and the building of "mega-mansions" on farmland, despite promising to do just that in 2018 via the passing of Bill 52.
"Have a look around," Paton said, referring to the massive homes. "They're everywhere. Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley, Surrey, Richmond, Steveston; they're still going up!"
He pointed out that the Agriculture Land Commission is "so underfunded that they only have six compliance officers for the entire province of BC.
"No wonder this isn't being taken care of and dealt with," Paton lamented. "This NDP government continues to fail farmers and ranchers in British Columbia in the toughest times we've had in many years, and as the Conservative Party of BC, we'll be holding them to account with the upcoming spring session in Victoria."
Paton's sentiments were shared by BC Conservative Langley-Abbotsford MLA and Transportation Critic Harman Bhangu.
"BC's farmland is under assault under the NDP's watch," he wrote in a post on X. "Illegal dumping is taking over, with no meaningful penalties to protect this vital resource. Farmland should be preserved for farming — not exploited or neglected."
"As someone who comes from the trucking industry," he continued, "I've seen firsthand the difference between those who do things the right way and those who cut corners. The right and honourable way ensures our communities and farmland are respected, while the wrong way contributes to problems like illegal dumping. Everyone who values integrity and accountability in this industry wants to see this come to an end."
