A jar of jam can be labeled as “Product of British Columbia” so long as the berries from Mexico are processed in BC. It is very misleading.

Today here in Kamloops, I was proud to stand beside our BC Conservative Party leader, along with Michael Beauclair (candidate for Fraser-Nicola), and Graeme James (candidate for Kelowna-Lake Country).

Today, our party announced an important plank in our platform -- one which shows clear support to our agriculture and aquaculture industry. 

 

The announcement highlighted a branded communication program called My British Columbia" -- which includes incentive for British Columbians' here in the Thompson Nicola region --- and around the provide -- to buy and support local growers, ranchers, and fishers.

Here are some of the details of the "My British Columbia" program:

Provide families and businesses with a tax credit of up to $500 per year to encourage them to buy qualifying locally grown, raised, caught, or processed agri-food products at retailers, restaurants, and farmer’s markets across BC.

Provide operators across all levels of British Columbia’s agri-food value chain (growers, processors, fishers, distributors, retailers, restaurants, nurseries, schools, hospitals and agri-tourism operators) with the incentives and online branded collaterals necessary to proactively source and prominently feature locally grown, raised and processed agri-food products. 

Increase food security in British Columbia by celebrating the considerable investments made by agri-food operators that participate in and/or meet the exemplary standards set by existing certification bodies such as OceanWise, SPCA Certified, COABC and HealthCheck .  Future program recognitions may expand to include GMO labelling and biodiversity. 

And here is something we feel is very important to the success of this program -- and in ensuring that BC food producers can be supported: