B.C. fruit growers rally for more government support
The rally in Osoyoos coincided with the B.C. NDP Caucus retreat
B.C. fruit growers are calling for more support from the province following years of extreme weather.
On Tuesday, more than 200 growers rallied in the town of Osoyoos in B.C.'s southern Interior— where the B.C. NDP caucus is holding its retreat — to raise awareness about their struggles and ask for more help from the provincial government.
Farmers say that since 2021 they have had to deal with the effects of a heat dome, cold weather, floods, and wildfires. This year, fruit growers say they are dealing with crops that were devastated by a January cold snap, as well as the years-long process of replacing and replanting dead trees.
"This year is the worst out of all the past three, four years," Kelowna-based farmer Mani Gill said in an interview with Radio West.
Gill is also a board member of the B.C. Fruit Growers' Association, which organized the rally.
He acknowledged that the province is providing up to $70 million to help vineyards and orchards replant and adapt to climate change. But he said growers still need to put in their own money.
"We don't like asking for handouts," he said.
"[But] B.C. is the least funded province for agriculture in Canada. The government — whatever party it is, NDP, B.C. United, Conservative, whoever it is — really needs to look at agriculture and see the benefits it brings to B.C. and really start supporting us."
Premier David Eby attended the rally to meet with growers.
Season after season, Okanagan fruit growers have been hit hard by extreme temperatures. I got the chance to speak with farmers about the challenges they’re facing and how we can work together to support them. My team is determined to support BC farmers in a changing climate. <a href="https://t.co/kAobmE0wUT">pic.twitter.com/kAobmE0wUT</a>
—@Dave_EbyAt a press conference earlier that morning, NDP house leader Ravi Kahlon said B.C. officials have been meeting with growers "for months" to hear about their challenges.
"People are dealing with the impacts of climate change right now on the ground," Kahlon said. "Our government is committed not only to take on climate change, but also support communities through those challenging times."
In the meantime, Gill is trying to stay optimistic. He said he took over his family's farm five years ago and wants to pass it on to his children in the future.
"We're going to get through this," Gill said. "But at this point, we just need some help [to] get us through the next couple years, but we'll bounce back. We always do."
With files from Radio West