FSJ city council votes to attend inaugural BC Agriculture Forum

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Fort St. John City Hall. (Tre Lopushinsky, Energeticcity.ca)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The City of Fort St. John council has voted for its members to attend the inaugural BC Agriculture Forum this June.

At its February 23rd regular meeting, the council approved a motion to allow members to attend the forum, hosted by the BC Agriculture Council (BCAC), in Penticton from June 24th to 25th.

The estimated cost is $2,540 per person, and is to be funded through the council travel budget.

Councillors Gord Klassen and Byron Stewart voted against the motion, with Klassen questioning whether the conference should be a municipal priority.

“I’m not sure that this is a priority for us,” Klassen said, noting that while agriculture plays a significant role in the region, he believes the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) may be better positioned to attend.

He also pointed out the forum is an inaugural event. “I like to see an event sort of prove itself and set a direction, and then I would be more inclined to attend in the future.”

Stewart echoed similar concerns, suggesting the council should seek permission from the PRRD board to attend.

“I don’t know if it fits under something that we need as a municipality, so I will be voting no on this,” Stewart said.

Other councillors spoke in favour of attending, citing the city’s commitment to food security and the region’s role as a major grain producer, although councillor Trevor Bolin suggested one or two representatives attend, rather than the entire council.

Mayor Lilia Hansen told the city council she received a direct invitation from a BCAC board director representing grain producers in the Peace region, prompting the item to come before council.

For more information on the agriculture forum and to register, visit the BCAC’s website.