As a means to encourage food security, Burnaby is going to help foster a bio-regional food system project initiated by Kwantlen University.
At a recent meeting, council authorized staff to participate in the South-West B.C. Food System and Design and Planning Project through an in-kind contribution of a staff liaison and sharing relevant city information.
The decision was in response to a January delegation from Dr. Kent Mullinix, a co-principal of the project led by Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Institute for Sustainable Horticulture.
The project is meant to provide a "roadmap" for farmers, entrepreneurs, consumers, governments and First Nation people to create a bio-regional food system to increase food security and self-reliance, according to a staff report.
"At this time, staff is of the opinion that the data produced regarding certain elements of the project could be of benefit to further inform and support Burnaby's already strong track record of agricultural promotion and protection," said Lou Pelletier, in his report to council. "Specifically, in areas over which the city has exercised its jurisdictional responsibility for the benefit of protecting agriculture lands and supporting viability through permitted uses, land-related regulations, and area plans."
The project will break down in three ways: a baseline assessment of regional resources, attributes, limitation and potentials; designing a food system plan, which will be shaped by stakeholder participation; and developing tools and strategies for implementation.
Burnaby's 129 hectares of agricultural production in the Big Bend area has been identified as a possible case-study location for research.
"The long-term protection of these agricultural lands is an important objective in the city's overall planning framework which recognizes that: the soils of the Big Bend area are highly suitable for a variety of agricultural uses, demonstrated by the historic and current range of products that can be produced; the Big Bend agricultural producers are an important source for the agricultural supply and future production for the growing regional population," Pelletier states.
Within the agricultural land reserve, Pelletier states there is "significant opportunity" for expansion and intensification of agricultural uses on the remaining lands.
He noted that local governments have no direct role in developing or managing the implementation of potential recommendations stemming from the research project.
"It is acknowledged, however, that the data collected through the project, on elements such as the economic magnitude of Burnaby's agricultural sector and how to best structure supporting accessory uses ..., could be of benefit in further informing city policy," Pelletier states. "This (level) of involvement will also provide an opportunity for the city to ensure that local data and experiences are considered in the project, to monitor results and emerging recommendations for avenues of local government involvement, and to review the final document for a full understanding of the ultimate findings and any impacts upon Burnaby."
The project's boundaries include Powell River, Sunshine Coast, Squamish-Lillooet and Fraser Valley Regional Districts and Metro Vancouver.
The system's team leaders also include investigators from the University of British Columbia, the University of the Fraser Valley, Royal Roads University, Simon Fraser University, Ben-Gurion University, the Pacific Institute for Climate Studies and Farm Credit Canada.
Kwantlen is currently spearheading a similar project in the Yukon Territory.
