VICTORIA B.C. – B.C. Green Party Nelson-Creston candidate Kim Charlesworth has been appointed by leader Andrew Weaver as the party’s Spokesperson for Agriculture and Food Systems.
As Board Chair of the Kootenay and Boundary Food Producer’s Co-op, Charlesworth has worked on the ground with farmers on issues that directly affect their ability to make a living, such as changes to the Agricultural Land Reserve, meat inspection regulations, and rebuilding storage and distribution infrastructure.
“We have incredible opportunities to improve our food security in British Columbia”, Charlesworth said. “At the same time, we can support and strengthen our economy. This starts by looking at how local agriculture is connected to jobs and poverty. We can start by protecting prime agricultural land in the Peace River Valley from destruction by the construction of the Site C Dam, and instead provide incentives for it to become a major food producing region.
“The current government’s recent changes to the Contaminated Sites Regulation (CSR) raise a red flag for agriculture as well as water across the province. In my riding of Nelson-Creston, residents are extremely worried by the current government's lack of oversight for water contamination. We are very concerned that permits can be obtained for industrial biosolids to be spread on agricultural land with minimal testing of contaminants.”
“I am very pleased to appoint Kim Charlesworth as the B.C. Green Party’s Spokesperson for Agriculture and Food Systems”, Weaver added. “In the 21st century, agriculture and food security are facing new threats, not the least of which is climate change. Kim is dedicated to finding workable solutions to meet the needs of the present generation without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This is exactly the type of sustainable thinking our province needs.”
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Media contacts
For Kim Charlesworth
Nicole Charlwood, Campaign Manager
+1 250-551-4609 | [email protected]
For Andrew Weaver
Mat Wright, Press Secretary, Office of Andrew Weaver, MLA
+1 250-216-3382 | [email protected]