AGRICULTURE SECTOR PROVIDES A SOLUTION FOR CANADA'S CLIMATE, DATA AND EXPORT GOALS
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www.abbynews.com Abbotsford News Thursday, May 20, 2021 A33
http://www.abbotsfordchamber.com/
Agriculture sector provides A solution for
cAnAdA’s climAte, dAtA And export goAls
Canadians often don’t realize farmers are high From producers to processors to your plate, the innovation. If Canada wants a blueprint of what
tech or climate experts, but the facts are that, agriculture and agri-food sector exemplifies climate change mitigation and big data looks like
the agriculture and agri-food sector is highly highly innovative and complex operations in the real world, we need look no further than
innovative and increasingly recognized as a leader requiring not only knowledge of land use and best sustainable and smart farms. Imagine what they
in fighting climate change. environmental practices, but also significant skill could do if they weren’t taxed and regulated to
in operating these new tools. These new precision near extinction,” added Beatty.
In response, a multi-sectoral coalition has been agriculture tools are allowing farmers to produce
launched to promote Canada’s industry abroad more while reducing their environmental footprint. Canada’s agricultural and agri-food sector has
and support the Canadian agriculture and agri-
food sector in leading Canada’s economic recovery. “After the early days of the pandemic, Canadians tremendous impact on the lives of everyday
www.abbotsfordchamber.com/news/category/announcements/
came to appreciate just how secure our food Canadians, accounting for one in eight jobs (2.3
Canadian agriculture has a good story to tell. On a supply chain is. For a brief moment, Canadians million people) and contributing $143 billion per
global average, about 23% of global greenhouse and politicians didn’t take farmers for granted. year to our economy (7.4% of GDP). That’s why
gas (GHG) emissions come from agriculture. Here It shouldn’t take a crisis like COVID-19 for us the Canadian Chamber has launched Canada’s
in Canada, agriculture accounts for just over 8% to recognize the businesses in our national FoodLink campaign.
of our overall GHG. Canadian food producers are agriculture sector supply chain continue to
among the greenest in the world. On top of that, deliver food to our tables in Canada and around “The Canada’s FoodLink campaign is about
there is a high degree of carbon stored in the soil the world,” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO, supporting businesses all along the food chain
and governments are looking to farmers to meet Canadian Chamber of Commerce. in Canada, who want to build a more secure,
GHG reduction targets. environmentally-friendly food supply system for
Businesses in this sector face some of the highest
Still not convinced? The agriculture and agri- Canadians. We have to make it easier for them to
costs compared to their G7 counterparts, thanks
food sector has not only reduced its carbon do just that, or we risk facing fewer food choices
in large part to endlessly overlapping federal,
footprint through technology, but also through provincial and regional regulations. In the recent and lower security, forcing us to depend on food
carbon capture in soil. Many of the foods you eat Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, 26.6% of imported from other countries,” concluded Beatty.
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/210305/dq210305b-eng.htm
today may have been grown using drones and agricultural business owners reported government
earth sensors, which allow for precise product For more information about the Canada’s FoodLink
regulations as a key obstacle to their survival.
applications and produce higher yields more campaign go to: https://chamber.ca/campaign/
https://chamber.ca/campaign/canadas-foodlink
efficiently over time. At the outset of the value “Canada must modernize its approach to canadas-foodlink
https://chamber.ca/campaign/canadas-foodlink
chain, farms are reaped by autonomous tractors regulations or risk severely hampering the
featuring GPS and radar technologies. These same economic potential of the agriculture and agri- For more information, please contact:
technologies enable us to use products more food sector, one of its shining examples of business Phil Taylor
efficiently and better manage our environmental innovation. We need a regulatory environment ptaylor@chamber.ca (preferred and fastest
footprint. that is consistent, predictable, timely, and supports response time)
A34 Thursday, May 20, 2021 Abbotsford News www.abbynews.com
www.abbotsfordchamber.com
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
2021
CHAMBERS CALL ON BC MINISTER DAVID
EBY TO AMEND BC LOBBY ACT AND LESSEN
RESTRICTIONS ON CHAMBERS, NOT-FOR-
Melinda Friesen
PROFITS AND SMALL ORGANIZATIONS
PRESIDENT Did you know that the requirements for group recently met digitally with Minister
businesses and organizations that have Eby also to explain their concerns and a
to register their activities as lobbyists has pathway towards a solution.
increased significantly and also impacts Government relies on boards of trades/
many more than before? Financial costs chambers of commerce (and other non-
and strained capacity has become a serious profits) to inform them of the issues of the
Katerina Anastasiadis
Craig Toews Katie Yu Chris Gauthier issue because of recent updates to the day – either through policy or advocacy. Executive Director
VICE-PRESIDENT TREASURER SECRETARY BC Transparency and Lobby Act (2020) Now more than ever this matters as
eliminate the requirement for
and many are not aware. These costs when it comes to economic recovery and
chambers of commerce and
are prohibiting key organizations from identifying gaps and opportunities for the
boards of trade altogether;
participating in the democratic process of government, there should be no red tape
informing government of issues because and administrative burden to the chambers b. Establish a more streamlined
they are choosing to avoid this overly of commerce/boards of trade to speak to lobbying tracking report form and
burdensome situation. The law is in effect government. process; and,
Tammy McLachlan Karen Biggs Josh Reynolds decreasing open dialogue and transparency
DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR WHAT THE BUSINESS GROUPS WANT, IN c. Remove accumulated lobbying
with government on important issues. SUMMARY: reporting requirements when
The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, Amendments to the BC Lobbying Act working with other organizations.
Surrey Board of Trade, Greater Langley to alleviate the degree of administrative If you are impacted by this legislation we
Chamber of Commerce and BC Chamber obligation: want to hear from you and if you want to
of Commerce wrote a joint letter to BC’s a. Only require the registration of learn more please reach out to us at the
Attorney General and Minister Responsible an actual act of lobbying (letter, Chamber and send an email to:
Tim Holloway Kevin Mierau Sam Varing for Housing, David Eby, on the administrative katerina@abbotsfordchamber.com.
DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR meeting, policy decision) upon
red tape the revised BC Lobbying Act of 2020 completion, increase the 50-hour We are working for you to ensure you can
has for non-profits, small organizations, and threshold to 200-hours for do business and operate as effectively as
chambers of commerce/ boards of trade. The charities and not-for-profits, and possible!
Paul Penner
DIRECTOR
Ravi Sidhu
DIRECTOR
Mike Ashcroft
DIRECTOR NEW BUSINESSES:
Northwestern Electric Inc. Faeine Grant Personal Veerji Fish ‘n’ Grill
CHAMBER
2021
www.northwesternelectric.ca Real Estate Corp. www.veerji.ca
TEAM MEMBERS www.themondernrealtors.com
#207-32900 South Fraser Way • 604-859-9651
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Katerina Carole Jorgensen
Anastasiadis MANAGER OF EVENTS & SPONSORSHIP
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
katerina@
events@ Wednesday, May 26 Monday, June 7 Thursday, June 17 Thursday, June 24
abbotsfordchamber.com
katerina@abbotsfordchamber.com
abbotsfordchamber.com Environmental Sustainability Post Budget Tour New Member Summer Update and Q&A
in the Agri-Food Sector with Hon. Selena Orientation with MP Brad Vis
11:30am-12:30pm Robinson 11:30am-12:30pm 11:30am-12:30pm
10:00am-11:00am
Rahul Ajwani
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
La Vonne Bandsma
OFFICE MANAGER For more information on our upcoming events,
events@abbotsfordchamber.com lavonne@abbotsfordchamber.com please go to our website www.abbotsfordchamber.com.
COORDINATOR lavonne@
communication@ abbotsfordchamber.com
abbotsfordchamber.com
www.abbynews.com Abbotsford News Thursday, May 20, 2021 A35
www.abbotsfordchamber.com
Chamber’s Virtual
agriCultural
bus tour
“baCk stage Pass”
Coming soon!
As with most things these days involving what
is typically in person, the Chamber’s Agricultural
Bus Tour has gone virtual, and for the first time
ever! Taking on this year although, different has
certainly been an adventure and interesting as in
years past and we are looking forward to sharing
the experience with you. The video and filming
process was creative and interactive with the
small crew consisting of our Executive Director
Katerina Anastasiadis as host, our farm operators
at each stop (Mark Siemens, Derek Arends
and Nick Warmerdam) educating us about the
innovationhttps://www.abbotsfordchamber.com/events/
and productivity happening on-site,
special guests such as from RBC’s Agricultural
Services and our staff.
This year in addition to the virtual
communication campaign, we were able to
take advantage of accessing locations that
we typically could not get into with larger in
person groups due to biosecurity concerns. We
truly have a “backstage pass” for our members IF THE TOOTH
and viewers and cannot wait to share what we FAIRY WON’T PAY
uncovered with you! We visited:
YOUR DENTAL BILLS,
• Aviary Barn, (chicken and egg facility)
• Arendsdale Dairy Farms WE CAN!
The reality is we all can use help with unexpected expenses like
• Lakeland Flowers dental bills, prescription drugs, or medical supplies. Now help is here,
with affordable group coverage designed specifically for small to medium
Keep your eyes open for the week of June 7-11th sized businesses. See why over 25,000 business owners selected this plan!
when we will be launching this year’s Virtual
Agricultural Bus Tour throughout the week
through videos, social media and a local media www.chamberplan.ca
https://www.chamberplan.ca/
campaign!
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