Commission Overview

Purpose of Commission

The Agricultural Land Commission is the provincial agency responsible for administering the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), a provincial land use zone in favour of agriculture. The purposes of the Commission are:

(a) to preserve agricultural land;

(b) to encourage farming on agricultural land in collaboration with other communities of interest; and

(c) to encourage local governments, First Nations, the government and its agents to enable and accommodate farm use of agricultural land and uses compatible with agriculture in their plans, bylaws and policies.

The Agricultural Land Commission Act sets out processes for land use approvals including the inclusion or removal of land from the ALR and non-farm uses and subdivisions of land within the ALR. The Act is supported by the Agricultural Land Reserve Use, Subdivision and Procedure Regulation, which details procedures for applications and defines permitted land uses and land subdivisions within the ALR.

The Act is administered by a government-appointed Commission consisting of 19 members including a Chair and six panels for six geographical regions of the province. Each panel has three members including a Vice-chair. The Commission is supported by a staff of 22 full time equivalent employees (FTE’s).

Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

A land base in British Columbia reserved for farming.

Mission

Preserve agricultural land and encourage and enable farm businesses throughout British Columbia.

Values

The Commission is committed to the following values:

• Integration — Policies and programs foster long-term sustainability by considering a range of economic, social and environmental values.
• Accountability and fairness — The Commission sets performance standards, monitors compliance and reports on progress. The Commission acts fairly and in the public interest.
• Transparency — The Commission establishes open processes; the bases of all decisions are public information.
• Science and knowledge — Agricultural Land Reserve boundaries and decisions are based on biophysical criteria, local knowledge and site specific circumstances.
• Responsiveness — In carrying out its responsibilities, the Commission considers the needs of farmers, landowners, applicants, First Nations, local governments and others.
• Shared responsibility — The Commission strives to develop positive working relationships with local governments, First Nations and others and to ensure consultation with all stakeholders in its decisions and activities.
• Certainty — The Commission makes clear and timely decisions within a predictable and understandable regulatory framework.