So many things start out as good ideas and get lost along the way.
The Agriculture Land Reserve, instituted in the 1970s to protect and preserve farmland, was a good idea back then. Given droughts, floods, and an ever-growing global population, it is even a better idea today to ensure we have some arable land left for food growing.
Those of us who are dismayed at the rate farmland is disappearing (e.g. 4,600 hectares to be lost with Site C) will be pleased to know the worthy members of the Agriculture Land Commission are right on their toes. Yessiree. They are focussing on improper use of farmland, and guess what, one improper use is making a dollar or two n hosting wedding ceremonies.
It seems more and more people want to exchange vows in a pastoral setting and more and more farmers and ranchers are accommodating them. And why not? Well, it seems last September the ALC came up with a draft policy to ensure farmland is actually being used for framing. Good idea, but how can a wedding ceremony threaten farmland? Farmers can get permits to host weddings, but it takes time and the uncertainty has thrown a monkey wrench into some of next year’s wedding plans. A few years ago ranchers and farmers were being encouraged to add agri-tourism to their businesses. Wouldn’t weddings come under that umbrella? Seems to me the commissioners are swallowing camels (Site C) and choking on gnats.
***
Speaking of choking on gnats, why does the public get bent out of shape over who pays Trudeaus’ nannies but nary a squawk about the 49 patronage appointments Mr. Harper made in the dying days of his government?
***
The following is making the rounds on Facebook. Don’t know the author.
“Millions of dollars have been spent spent on the war on drugs but it has brought more drugs. Governments are spending millions of dollars fighting terrorist, but it’s just brought more terrorists. What about declaring a war on jobs and money and see what happens?
Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.