Abbotsford-Mission MLA Pam Alexis Takes On New Mandate As Agriculture Minister
When atmospheric flow devastated the Fraser Valley in November 2021, Pam Alexis became more closely associated with the region’s agricultural sector.
Following the floods, the Abbotsford Mission MLA met with various levels of government and emergency management, among others. The group met daily, then weekly and fortnightly for three months before recently ceasing regular meetings.
“I don’t take it lightly – it was an extremely powerful experience,” said Alexis. “When you’re so deeply connected to an emergency like this, you dive into the struggles that growers — and farmers in particular — have been going through.”
A new role
Following Prime Minister David Eby’s cabinet reshuffle in early December, Alexis will be put in charge of managing the agricultural sector as the new Minister for Agriculture and Food.
“I am excited and honored to be in this position for a number of reasons,” said Alexis. “First, I get to represent the Fraser Valley at the Cabinet table, which is a wonderful opportunity for all of us. Second, I must advocate for all farmers and breeders in British Columbia and help them be more successful.”
Delta South MLA and opposition Agriculture and Food Critic Ian Paton criticized the appointment in one tweetquestioning Alexi’s lack of farming experience.
Alexis says her experience with the Fraser Valley community and her connections to the farming sector over the past several years make her a good fit for the role.
“Having been in the Valley for over 25 years, I’ve served the community in so many different ways and after becoming an MLA, representing the interests of Abbotsford and Mission, I certainly understood the plight of farmers and breeders and the limits [that come] with all of that,” Alexis said.
Former Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham was appointed Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport in the December 7 cabinet reshuffle.
Impact on Abbotsford Mission MLA duties
Alexis served as Mission Mayor from 2018-2020 before being elected MLA for the Abbotsford Mission as a member of BC’s NDP party. With another transition into a new role, Alexis expects to tread familiar territory.
“Sure it’s getting busier, but luckily I have an incredible staff,” she said. “The work is very demanding, but I will strive to serve, and I have done so in various capacities for many years. Time management is no stranger to me.”
On Fridays, Alexis will make time with members of the Abbotsford Mission when she is in Victoria. She says she will be working closely with teams in her ministry and her constituency to ensure she is where she needs to be.
“I’m used to juggling a lot and have had to learn to juggle both Mission and Abbotsford requirements. Now I’m just throwing in one more ball, so I’m not worried,” she said. “Obviously I love the Fraser Valley and always feel at home when I’m home, but it’s an opportunity to serve the rest of British Columbia as well.”
Agriculture and Food Mandate
The mandate letter for Alexis von Eby provided the new minister with both active goals of the predecessor and new tasks. The key objective of the mandate is to improve climate preparedness and resilience to forest fires, floods and extreme heat.
“We have to be prepared for these types of events because we just don’t know when the next one will be,” Alexis said. “We need to be prepared as far as the Fraser Valley is concerned and look at levee improvements… and figure out how to make farmers more resilient.”
According to the letter, Alexis’ mandate is to support farmers, ranchers and fish producers in their work to ensure food security for British Columbians through policy, make wise use of agricultural land, increase production and add processing capacity. She is also tasked with building the export sector by promoting BC-produced food, creating jobs and promoting economic sustainability.
The expansion of organizations like Grow BC, Buy BC and Feed BC is mandated to strengthen business growth and food security. Alexis is tasked with opening nine new food hubs across BC.
“Food security comes first,” Alexis said. “Only average people are concerned about food security, and I think atmospheric flux has really illuminated their vulnerabilities.”
The minister is expected to initiate several new councils and programs, including the launch of the BC Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food, the Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture Program and a Minister’s Advisory Group on Regenerative Agriculture.
“We look at different practices [like] Agritech and what we use to grow food doesn’t make sense,” she said. “There’s opportunity in the agritech sector with innovations that reduce the need for sunlight and bring things inside and use ultraviolet light, that sort of thing.”
Alexis says balancing support for agriculture and the environment will be a challenge in her tenure as minister.
“We’re trying to produce food closer to the source and trying to reduce carbon emissions,” Alexis said. “Those are the issues I have to deal with.”
“I just really hope to get around and visit as many farms and as many voters as possible in the summer when we’re not in conference. I look forward to learning more and more about British Columbia.”
@dillon_white
[email protected]
Like us on Facebook and follow us Twitter.
AgricultureBC FloodFood Safety
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tgam/FTGR2DGYIFK4PDBW223KMTODU4.jpg?resize=300,300)
