The City of Pitt Meadows continues to pursue the priorities outline in our award-winning Agricultural Viability Strategy.
Pitt Meadows City Council endorsed a resolution to call on the Government of British Columbia to increase funding for agriculture in the province. This resolution was brought to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA) in May 2025 and successfully endorsed. It was then put forward at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) 2025 Convention in September 2025.
We are pleased to share that the resolution was endorsed by UBCM: EB89 – Increased Ministry Funding for Agriculture. See results.
Why This Resolution Matters
According to the B.C. Agricultural Council’s (BCAC) BC Agriculture Sector Strategic Priorities, B.C.’s five-year average of public spending on agriculture (as a portion of agriculture’s contribution to the GDP) was approximately 2.5 percent—the lowest of all provinces and well below the Canadian historical average of 12 per cent. An increase in provincial agricultural funding could be invested in much-needed programs and support, such as:
- Regional water sustainability plans, agricultural water reserves, and upgrades to water infrastructure storage to help alleviate the increasing water shortages brought on by climate change;
- Emergency management programs and training for agricultural liaisons during emergency events, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change;
- Programs to provide immediate economic relief for producers who have experienced adverse climate and emergency events;
- Incentives, funding programs and tax exemptions to enhance the viability of the agricultural sector;
- Programs for wage subsidies for farm workers to ensure a stable labour force; and
- Additional Ministry staffing to support the above-mentioned programs and improve much-needed regulatory enforcement.
Status
- The resolution was endorsed by the LMLGA in May 2025. Read the Staff Report supporting this resolution, which was presented to Council on February 25, 2025.
- Read the backgrounder on the UBCM resolution.
- See the resolution.
- City Council attended the UBCM 2025 Convention from September 22 – 26, to meet with various ministries and advocate for the needs of Pitt Meadows. The resolution was put forward for endorsement.
- UBCM endorsed the resolution: EB89 – Increased Ministry Funding for Agriculture. Official results will be available on the UBCM website.
- Endorsed resolutions form UBCM policy and inform advocacy priorities for the next year.