Re: What about other farmers in NS? (Letters, Jan. 25)
The message I hear from Brett Smyth’s letter is about the need to keep a level playing field for North Saanich farmers and growers. This speaks to an underlying angst coming from an insufficient local economy and the inability to compete with the big store subsidized food from across the border. It’s also difficult to lease lands in North Saanich that are overvalued for farming. Landholders often are only willing to do the minimum to get a tax break because there’s few incentives for their land to become a real working farm.
Making matters worse is the bureaucracy imposed by all levels of government, keeping the farmer jumping through hoops. As MP Elizabeth May points out, a national food policy is needed and agriculture definitely should be on the agenda of the next provincial election.
In my assessment there appears to be too small a percentage of residents putting local food on their tables and spending their money in local business. After securing the Sandown land I think the best action North Saanich council could take would be a focused active campaign on supporting local economy.
If we could pull together and build a stronger local economy there would be a more viable business case for Sandown and for all our local growers and businesses. This could even go a long way in healing the the divisions in this community.
Heather Goulet
North Saanich