Part B: Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
Ministry Overview
Purpose of Ministry
The mandate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is to:
- promote economic development and environmental sustainability for the agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors, supporting
them in delivering safe, healthy and high-quality food; and
- manage Crown land in a manner that contributes to the economic, societal and environmental goals of government.
The agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors are diverse and vibrant, contributing $21.9 billion in annual sales and over
280,000 jobs to B.C.'s economy. The Ministry plays a vital role in fostering an environment which allows the sectors as a
whole to be safe, profitable and sustainable. The Ministry provides a wide-range of programs and services that are designed
to facilitate long-term business stability, promote environmental stewardship on farms, and enhance and protect the health
of all British Columbians.
The Ministry is also responsible for administration of Crown land, which comprises 94 per cent of the provincial land base.
Its primary activities in this area are to develop policy to guide the allocation of Crown land and to support implementation,
including developing policy to promote effective involvement of First Nations. This focus is essential to improving the global
competitiveness of British Columbia, enhancing our ability to attract private investment and stimulating economic growth,
while balancing environmental and societal values. As part of this mandate, the Ministry is also responsible for managing
those contaminated sites that are the responsibility of the Province. Crown land adjudication services are provided by the
Integrated Land Management Bureau.
Key to the Ministry's success is its partnerships with agencies at the local, provincial and federal levels, First Nations,
industry and industry associations. With respect to the agriculture and food sectors, federal and provincial governments have
a shared mandate and this relationship is formalized through the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) agreement. For aquaculture,
the Province is responsible for licensing operations and tenuring decisions on Crown land while the federal government is
responsible for fisheries management and navigation.
The Ministry also relies on other government ministries — primarily Health, Forests and Range, and Environment — local governments
and First Nations to fulfill its mandate. The mandates of these agencies and groups connect in key areas such as food safety
and quality, public health and safety, land and resource use, water management, invasive plant and pest management, and environmental
issues.
The Ministry's main client groups are the citizens of British Columbia, First Nations, local governments, industry and industry
associations.
A complete list of legislation for which the Ministry is responsible is available at
http://www.leg.bc.ca/PROCS/allacts/al.htm.
Vision, Mission and Values
Vision
World-leading stewardship of land, farm and food systems for the health and prosperity of British Columbians.
Mission
The mission of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is to promote sustainable agriculture food systems and to provide a balanced
approach that promotes the sustainable use of Crown land resources.
Values
The Ministry's five key values defined below are consistent with government's values and guide our business practices.
People
We value the health and well-being of our people. We treat each other with respect, dignity and value individual and cultural
differences. We communicate our expectations, listening to each other regardless of level of position. We seek the very best
talent, recognize achievements and ensure the appropriate skills through continuous learning.
Integrity
We are ethical in our business dealings, starting with how we treat each other. We will conduct our business in a manner that
is consistent with the government's code of conduct. We strive for excellence in ensuring effective and efficient use of public
resources.
Quality Service
We strive for service quality in all that we do.
Innovation and Leadership
We believe innovation is the principal driver that will help us provide value to our clients. We embrace creativity, a culture
of continuous improvement, and encourage our staff to be leaders.
Teamwork
Our culture supports a spirit of teamwork within the Ministry and with others to advance our shared interests.