Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Bachrach puts focus on Northwest farming for first day of new session of Parliament

A herd from the Bulkley Valley Exhibition this summer
MP Taylor Bachrach has raised the concerns of farmers
across the region in Parliament this week
(image from MP Bachrach's FB page)

The Bulkley Valley Fall Fair must have made quite the impression on Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach, the agricultural themes of the summer fair carrying him into the return of Parliament this week, with advocacy for the farmers of the Northwest as his debut topic for the fall session.

During the Wednesday Question Period, Bachrach addressed some of the drought conditions and other concerns of the agriculture sector in the region, seeking financial support from Ottawa for farmers in the region.

“Farmers in Northern BC have been hit hard by extreme drought — another symptom of the worsening climate crisis. Hay harvests are down as much as 90 percent, and many farmers are struggling to feed their animals. We’re seeing herds sold off and we’re seeing family farms lost. 

For months we’ve been calling on this government to provide support to source hay from other parts of Canada and the United States . Local governments are waiting. Provincial government is waiting. And farmers are waiting – for this Minister to finally come to the table. How much longer they going to have to wait?”

In reply, the Minister observed of a provincial request, which remains under review by his department towards potential options for the regional farmers.

Previous to Question Period on Wednesday, the MP had met with Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacCaulay to work with the province and local governments in the region to address the concerning issues.

The short Q and A with the Minister from Wednesday can be reviewed below:

More notes on the MP's work in Ottawa and the constituency can be explored through our archive page.