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Today, Finance Minister Selena Robinson tabled the 2021 provincial budget amid COVID-19 financial pressures. The budget funds a range of new measures to protect the health and safety of British Columbians while supporting people and businesses and preparing for recovery from the pandemic.
The budget generates a $9.7 billion deficit in 2021/22, dropping to $5.5 in 2022/23 and $4.3 in 2023/24. The budget includes a significant reserve to assist with unexpected needs related to the pandemic.
In the 2021/22 budget, the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (MAFF) receives a 4.65% increase to core budget. This $4.4 million lift is primarily directed to expand work on the Buy BC, Feed BC and Grow BC initiatives ($3.41 million for each of the next 3 years, a total of $10 million).
In addition to the increase to MAFF’s core budget, several announcements in other ministries will impact B.C. farmers and ranchers. The most directly felt support is $35 million in 2021/22 for the continued support for the centralized quarantine program for foreign workers arriving in B.C. This program has and will continue helping farmers keep workers and communities safe.
Government is also carrying forward $7 million from last year’s budget to support the development of food hubs, farm innovation and food processing.
The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation is allocating an additional $7.5 million to Agritech initiatives that applied for funding last January.
The government continued support for the development of rural infrastructure. This includes investments in roads, as well as internet and cellular connectivity. These investments are critical for B.C. farmers and ranchers if they are going to compete in a global market and supply the products that consumers are looking for.
“Preparing a budget in these tumultuous times is extremely challenging,” says BCAC Executive Director, Reg Ens. “BCAC appreciates the investments being made by the provincial government to help farmers keep workers safe and improve infrastructure for rural B.C.”
As the economic opportunity study completed last year by MNP for the industry highlighted, in addition to growing and raising amazing products that we all enjoy, B.C. farmers and ranchers play an important role in the economic health of the province and can be a key contributor during the road to economic recovery.
Looking Forward:
While the Sector is well positioned to adapt to the present-day crisis and to play a larger role in contributing towards the province’s economic recovery efforts, how food is produced and procured will require change and even further adaptability given the lessons learned from COVID-19.