It could be the last straw to saving valuable farmland in South Delta.
That was the concern expressed by Delta councillors Monday as they discussed the possibility of a foreign trade zone being established in the community.
The civic politicians dis-cussed a staff report on the proposal, which has become a deepening worry as issues including the loss of agricultural land, environmental impacts and the possibility of the government imposing a trade zone that would bypass all municipal regulations and taxes.
The zones are supposed to help to offset customs advantages available to overseas producers who compete with domestic industry.
GCT Global Container Terminals Inc. is on a steering committee of business interests that want the federal government to explore establishing trade zones in this country. The company operates four container terminals through several principal businesses including TSI Terminal Systems Inc. at Deltaport. The B.C. government, meanwhile, this year hired a firm to research the potential benefits of having a trade zone and that study is to be completed an analyzed this summer.
Delta has been mentioned on numerous occasions as a prime candidate location, but there are many lingering questions, including why speculators are buying up agricultural properties in South Delta.
Several councillors expressed concern it's all in anticipation of the lands being automatically converted for industrial purposes without Delta's consent.
"We're trying to nail this down and get some straight answers on what this could mean but it's been hard to get straight answers," said CAO George Harvie.
Coun. Scott Hamilton noted he hopes the effects will be fairly benign, but there's also the possibly a zone in South Delta will have far reaching effects on farmland and businesses, which will be mostly negative.
Council agreed to send a letter to the province demanding answers and for the community to be included in the conversation.
