Delta South MLA Ian Paton has been named one of two agriculture critics by the Liberal caucus.
Paton joins Kelowna-Lake Country MLA and former Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick in the new dual role.
With more than three decades of experience in the agriculture sector as both a local farmer and on Delta council, Paton said he knows how vital the industry is here in Delta and across B.C.
He said he looks forward to applying that knowledge and experience he has gained over the years in this new role.
“I’m very excited and honoured to be chosen for this role,” said Paton. “I don’t profess to be a long-time politician by any means, but the one thing I think I can bring to the table is agriculture expertise, so I was happy to get that role.”
Paton said he has gotten to know Letnick over the past few years in his role on Delta council as well as through the Delta Farmers’ Institute.
“I have had many meetings with him over the past four or five years on Delta issues and farming issues. In fact, I don’t think Norm knew where Westham Island was until I told him a few years ago,” added Paton.
“So it’s good. I’m able to help him there and he can help me with some issues up country. I feel I really understand agriculture issues in the Fraser Valley, but there are agriculture issues in orchards and wineries, vineyards and cattle ranches that are foreign for us in the Fraser Valley.”
Paton said he plans to sit down with Letnick just prior to the recall of the Legislature in early September to come up with a list of issues to press the NDP government on.
“In Delta one of the number one things I want to see is getting back to the Brunswick Point lands,” Paton said. “This is a huge chunk of farm land that is sitting in limbo and we are not sure why. Is government holding onto it for possible expansion? I would really like to see that land go back into the hands of farmers rather than potentially become more economic development for warehouses out there.”
