I can't help but think of the irony every time Vicki Huntington comes to the defence of Delta's farmland.
I'm impressed by the principled stance the independent MLA for Delta South takes in the face of what seems like a never-ending industrial onslaught, however, I immediately turn my thoughts to provincial election ramifications each time I see her go to bat on behalf of this municipality's fertile soil and those who farm it.
Huntington continually sounds the alarm over the impacts that port development at Roberts Bank, including rail lines, roadways and possibly even a foreign trade zone, is having on adjacent farmland. She welcomes increased funding for the Agricultural Land Commission, but warns it's not enough to adequately protect this valuable resource.
Huntington has brought her pro-farmland stance, honed over 15 years at the Delta council table, to Victoria, which has afforded her a bigger stage to publicize an issue she holds near and dear.
You would think her efforts would have made her the darling of Delta's agricultural community, a lock to receive its support when provincial voters go to the polls 18 months (or sooner) from now.
Something tells me that won't be the case.
Presuming Kelly Guichon receives the Liberal party nomination in Delta South, it's a good bet the local farming community will line up solidly behind her. Farmers in these parts have historically supported the right of centre parties and have even become their flag bearers (think John Savage and Val Roddick).
What's more, Guichon is one of their own, married to Pete Guichon, whose pioneering family has been cultivating these lands for well over a century.
Huntington didn't necessarily get the farming community's support back in 2009 when she edged Liberal cabinet minister Wally Oppal and I'm sure she realizes it will be another uphill battle in that regard with Kelly Guichon quite possibly in the mix this time.
I find there's more than a little irony in the notion that she's fighting to preserve an industry that might not be in her corner come election time, but I think that speaks to her values, to how she will continue to stand up for what she believes in even if it isn't politically expedient.
Huntington has won many converts with that principled stance and others over the years, but it's a paradox indeed that this pro-agriculture MLA finds that her support at the ballot box will come from somewhere other than down on the farm.
