December 28, 2006
by Joseph Quesnel
First Perspective
Groups from the environmentalist community who traditionally argue they support Aboriginal rights are finding themselves once again in conflict with First Nations.
Environmentalists in British Columbia are criticizing a recently signed historic land claim deal, as it places large tracts of of preserved farmland into development for Aboriginals.
The Tsawwassen treaty involves the granting of over 200 hectares of farmland out of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to the First Nations community.
Joe Foy of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, an environmentalist organization, said the provision will set a precedent in that other aboriginal groups will also want lucrative ALR exclusions and that will compound farmland losses resulting from other projects.
Although the environmental group said it supported the treaty and applauded the government for reaching it, they stated that farmers should unite in opposing the extension of farmland in such treaty deals.
"He deserves a lot of credit," Foy said, referring to British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell in signing the treaty, in an interview with the Surrey Leader.
"But we believe there are elements within his government that endeavour to remove agricultural lands from the reserve, and that’s wrong."
They believe the agricultural land should remain in the reserve and be specified for food production. Foy added that the deal should have offered commercially-viable land instead.