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Lana Popham

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The Honourable
Lana Popham
MLA
Minister of Agriculture and Food of British Columbia
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (2017-2022)
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 18, 2024
PremierDavid Eby
Preceded byPam Alexis
In office
July 18, 2017 – December 7, 2022
PremierJohn Horgan
David Eby
Preceded byNorm Letnick
Succeeded byPam Alexis
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport of British Columbia
In office
December 7, 2022 – November 18, 2024
PremierDavid Eby
Preceded byLisa Beare
Succeeded bySpencer Chandra Herbert
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Saanich South
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 12, 2009
Preceded byDavid Cubberley
Personal details
Born (1968-10-30) October 30, 1968 (age 56)[1][2]
Regina, Saskatchewan
Political partyNew Democrat
ChildrenKye Popham
Residence(s)Saanich, British Columbia
Alma materUniversity of British Columbia
Occupationfarmer, small business owner

Lana Popham is a Canadian politician representing the riding of Saanich South in the Legislature of British Columbia. As a member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party (BC NDP), she has served in the Executive Council since 2017, currently as the Minister of Agriculture, having been reappointed to the position after having been Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. She was first elected in the 2009 provincial general election to the 39th Parliament and then re-elected in 2013, 2017 and 2020 to the 40th, 41st and 42nd Parliaments.

As the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries from 2017 to 2022, she led the adoption of two bills, both of which amended the Agricultural Land Commission Act (Bills 15 and 52), and an order-in-council that began the phasing out of mink farming.

While in opposition, she served predominantly as the critic on agricultural issues and introduced two private members bills: the British Columbia Local Food Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Mink Farms) Amendment Act. Prior to her election, Popham owned and operated the organic grape orchard, Barking Dog Vineyard, on Vancouver Island.

Background

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Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Lana Popham was raised on Quadra Island, one of the Discovery Islands off the central-east coast of Vancouver Island.[3][4] She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in geography.[5] She married an Oak Bay firefighter and together they had a son.[6] In 1997 they founded Barking Dog Vineyard, which became the first certified organic vineyard on Vancouver Island in 2000.[7]

She has participated in numerous organizations, including the Island Organic Producers Association and the Peninsula Agricultural Commission,[6] at one point serving as president of the Vancouver Island Grape Growers Association.[5] She has been a member of several District of Saanich committees, including planning, transportation, and economic development committees.[6] In 2007 she engaged in the "100 km Less" campaign challenging people to eliminate 100 kilometres from their weekly driving.[8] In 2008 she campaigned to reduce or ban plastic shopping bags in the Capital Regional District, in favour of reusable bags.[9][10]

Popham was a candidate in the 2005 Saanich municipal election, but did not win a seat on council.[11] She began campaigning for the 2008 municipal election but withdrew to run for the provincial NDP nomination in the Saanich South riding.[12] The riding's Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), New Democrat David Cubberley, had announced he would not run in the next election and party rules required that his successor be female.[12] Being unopposed, Popham was acclaimed the NDP candidate in Saanich South for the 2009 provincial general election.

The Saanich South election was expected to be one of the closest in the province,[11] with Popham facing former CHEK-TV reporter and news anchor and BC Liberal candidate Robin Adair,[13] lawyer and Western Canada Concept Party leader Doug Christie, and Green Party candidate Brian Gordon. Popham was one of four candidates in the province endorsed by the Conservation Voters of BC.[11] Popham won the May 12, 2009 election by 482 votes and her party formed the official opposition.

39th Parliament

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In the 39th Parliament she served as a member on the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts and was the NDP agriculture and lands critic.[14][15] To understand provincial agricultural issues better, Popham and Cariboo North MLA Bob Simpson toured the BC Interior during the summer of 2009, where they met with agricultural organizations and local producers.[16][17] She joined with fellow NDP MLAs Scott Fraser and Claire Trevena, in conjunction with the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, in lobbying for the stop to old-growth logging on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.[18]

In August 2011, while Popham was out of town, her constituency office experienced a roof fire.[19] In November 2010, Popham became one of 13 NDP caucus members to call for a leadership review of Carole James.[20][21] Popham endorsed Mike Farnworth in the subsequent leadership election,[22] which saw Adrian Dix come out on top. Under Dix, Popham remained agriculture critic and they advocated for health authorities to use local food in hospitals,[23] reinstating the Buy B.C. program,[24] easing the regulations that restrict meat processing sales,[25] and lobbied the Province of Ontario for compatible labeling laws in support of a proposed federal law that would allow inter-provincial sales of wine.[26]

Popham was featured in the 2011 Canadian documentary film Peace Out, in which she spoke about the food supply ramifications of flooding the Peace River Valley for the controversial Site C dam proposal.[27]

Popham's public position on agricultural issues include reinstating the Buy B.C. program, making it more difficult to remove land from the Agricultural Land reserve and reinstating agricultural extension officers.[28] Popham opposes the commercial production of the genetically engineered Arctic Apple, arguing it could negatively affect the reputation of BC fruit.[29] She is a leading proponent of increased protection for native pollinators and honey bees on Vancouver Island, maintaining a blog on the subject.

Popham delivered an overview of the BCNDP's agriculture plan on March 4 and 5, 2013 to the BC Legislature.

40th Parliament

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Popham contested the May 14, 2013 provincial election and was re-elected.[5] However, her party lost the general election and again formed the official opposition. Party leader Adrian Dix appointed Popham to a critic role focusing on small business, tourism, arts and culture.[30] In the leadership election triggered by Dix's resignation, Popham again endorsed Mike Farnworth.[31] However, Farnworth withdrew his nomination and John Horgan went on to become leader. Horgan reassigned Popham back to critic on agriculture and food,[32] though he would later add critic role for small business back to her duties.[33]

During the 40th Parliament of British Columbia, Popham introduced two private member bills, neither of which advanced beyond first reading. In May 2015 during the fourth session, and again in May 2016 during the fifth session, she introduced the British Columbia Local Food Act (Bill M 222) which would establish a Food and Agricultural Committee in the legislative assembly, require the committee to establish a Local Food Strategy and make recommendation for appointments to the Agricultural Land Commission, move the Zone 2 areas of the Agricultural Land Reserve into Zone 1, and re-establish the Ministry of Agriculture's Buy BC marketing program.[34] In May 2016, Popham introduced the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Mink Farms) Amendment Act (Bill M 237) which would have implemented the National Farm Animal Care Council's code of practice for farmed mink.[35]

41st Parliament

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Lana Popham speaking at her nomination rally in 2017

In the 2017 election, she was challenged by Olympic rower Dave Calder on behalf of the BC Liberal Party, her son's former teacher Mark Neufeld for the Green Party,[36] Andrew McLean for the Libertarian Party,[37] and Richard Pattee for the newly created Vancouver Island Party. Though Popham won the riding, her party again formed the official opposition as the 41st Parliament began. After the governing BC Liberal Party lost a confidence vote and the BC NDP formed the government, Popham was appointed to be Minister of Agriculture in Premier John Horgan's Executive Council.[38][39] In this role, Popham oversaw the implementation of BC NDP's agricultural platform of reforming the Agricultural Land Commission and developing the Grow BC, Feed BC and Buy BC initiatives.[40] She introduced the Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act, 2018 (Bill 52) and the Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act, 2019 (Bill 15) which, among other items, undid the previous parliament's division of the Agricultural Land Reserve into two zones with different regulations and reduced the amount of housing permitted on agricultural land.[41]

42nd Parliament

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Popham was re-elected in the 2020 election. Her NDP formed a majority government in the ensuing 42nd Parliament and Premier Horgan kept Popham in the Executive Council, but renamed her role to Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. In that role she issued an Order in Council to allow for new housing to be constructed on lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve[42][43] and to phase-out mink farming.[44][45]

She was reassigned as Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport by Premier David Eby on December 7, 2022.[46][47]

Electoral history

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2020 British Columbia general election: Saanich South
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Lana Popham 15,190 55.67 +13.20 $32,127.82
Liberal Rishi Sharma 6,608 24.22 −6.83 $37,039.98
Green Kate O'Connor 5,488 20.11 −5.28 $14,020.41
Total valid votes 27,286 100.00 –
Total rejected ballots 159 0.58 +0.13
Turnout 27,445 65.12 −5.51
Registered voters 42,148
Source: Elections BC[48][49]
2017 British Columbia general election: Saanich South
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Lana Popham 11,921 42.47 −3.08 $59,661
Liberal David Calder 8,716 31.05 −4.24 $66,005
Green Mark Neufeld 7,129 25.39 +10.10 $15,073
Libertarian Andrew Paul McLean 177 0.63 – $0
Vancouver Island Party Richard Percival Pattee 130 0.46 – $1,570
Total valid votes 28,073 100.00 –
Total rejected ballots 126 0.45 +0.12
Turnout 28,199 70.63 +3.52
Registered voters 30,926
Source: Elections BC[50][51]
2013 British Columbia general election: Saanich South
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Lana Popham 11,946 45.55 -1.59 $104,395
Liberal Rishi Sharma 9,256 35.29 -9.91 $64,424
Green Branko Mustafovic 4,011 15.29 +8.58 $200
Conservative Joshua Galbraith 873 3.33 $1,700
Independent Peter Kappel 142 0.54 $910
Total valid votes 26,228 100.00
Total rejected ballots 88 0.33
Turnout 26,316 67.11
Source: Elections BC[52]
2009 British Columbia general election: Saanich South
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Lana Popham 11,697 47.14 +1.06 $93,914
Liberal Robin Adair 11,215 45.20 +0.66 $121,866
Green Brian Gordon 1,664 6.71 −0.55 $655
Western Canada Concept Douglas Christie 235 0.95 +0.21 $250
Total valid votes 24,811 100
Total rejected ballots 164 0.66
Turnout 24,975 66.40
Source: Elections BC[53]

References

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  1. ^ Popham, Lana [@lanapopham] (October 30, 2013). "Thx 4 all the b-day wishes! Spent morning at CRD biosolids meeting & now at the dentist! Fun birthday so far! :) #bcpoli #needagoodiebag" (Tweet). Retrieved March 22, 2023 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ Popham, Lana [@lanapopham] (December 30, 2022). "I was named after Lana Turner back in 1968....but then around 2013, a goat in the Fraser Valley was named after me. Versatile name. 🙂🐐#bcpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved March 22, 2023 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ "2020 B.C. election: Saanich South candidates and riding profile". Times-Colonist. October 15, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  4. ^ Wong, Hugo (May 17, 2016). "Saanich MLA still in touch with farming roots". Saanich News. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "41st Parliament Members at dissolution on September 21, 2020: Hon. Lana Popham". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "Vineyard owner adds name to slate for Saanich council election". Times-Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. June 9, 2008. p. A.5.
  7. ^ "New winery puts down its roots". Peninsula News Review. Sidney, British Columbia. May 25, 2005. p. 12.
  8. ^ "Fuel efficiency on the cheap". Saanich News. Saanich, British Columbia. April 4, 2007. p. 7.
  9. ^ "Plastic bag ban proposed". Saanich News. BClocalnews.com. October 26, 2007. Archived from the original on November 2, 2007. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  10. ^ Knox, Jack (February 26, 2008). "We're neck-deep in plastic. Is it time to bag the bag?". Times-Colonist. Canada.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  11. ^ a b c Kines, Lindsay (May 2, 2009). "The ultimate swing riding". Times-Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. B.1.
  12. ^ a b "Vintner drops council bid, seeks NDP nomination". Times-Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. September 17, 2008. p. A.4.
  13. ^ "Former CHEK anchor to run for B.C. Liberals". Times-Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. January 22, 2009. p. A.3.
  14. ^ Shaw, Rob (June 12, 2009). "Few changes in NDP's critic shuffle". Times-Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. A.3.
  15. ^ MacLeod, Andrew (June 11, 2009). "NDP leader James names MLAs to critic roles". The Tyee. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  16. ^ Young, Michele (August 6, 2009). "NDP ag critic chews over issues". Kamloops Daily News. Kamloops, British Columbia. p. A.4.
  17. ^ Kelsey, Laura (August 11, 2009). "Educating eaters start of sustainability". 100 Mile House Free Press. 100 Mile House, British Columbia. p. A.3.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  18. ^ "MLA supports protection of old-growth forests". North Island Gazette. Alert Bay, B.C. May 4, 2010. p. 14.
  19. ^ Johnston, Larissa; Kathryn Burnam (August 7, 2011). "Fire at Saanich South MLA's office". Times-Colonist. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  20. ^ Fowlie, Jonathan (November 20, 2010). "B.C. NDP boss vows to fight bickering". National Post. p. A.12.
  21. ^ MacLeod, Andrew (December 4, 2010). "Who Are the NDP's 13 Dissidents?". The Tyee. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  22. ^ Slavin, Kyle (March 16, 2011). "Saanich NDP MLAs support Farnworth for party leader". Victoria News. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  23. ^ Fortems, Cam (October 13, 2011). "NDP wants local food in hospitals; Dix says it will stimulate B.C. markets and economy". Kamloops Daily News. p. 4.
  24. ^ Patton, Kristi (October 13, 2011). "Farmers face growing losses". Penticton Western News. p. 13.
  25. ^ Rolke, Richard (October 16, 2011). "Critic makes case for farm support". The Morning Star. Vernon, British Columbia.
  26. ^ Patton, Kristi (October 11, 2011). "Dix joins push for wine law changes". Penticton Western News. p. 4.
  27. ^ "Peace Out documentary brings Site C dam debate to VIFF 2011". September 28, 2011.
  28. ^ Luk, Vivian (January 26, 2013). "Innovation key to province's ambitious agricultural goals". Canadian Press.
  29. ^ Popham, Lana (February 5, 2013). "Critic Speaks Against GM Apple". Daily Courier (Kelowna).
  30. ^ Kines, Lindsay (June 15, 2013). "Island MLAs named to shadow cabinet". Times-Colonist. Victoria, B.C. p. 5.
  31. ^ MacLeod, Andrew (March 27, 2014). "NDP members, not MLAs, will decide next leader: Farnworth". The Tyee. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  32. ^ Smith, Charlie (July 23, 2014). "NDP Leader John Horgan gives David Eby a boost in shadow cabinet". The Straight. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  33. ^ "B.C. NDP leader John Horgan refreshes shadow cabinet ahead of May election". CBC News. January 27, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  34. ^ "Bill M 222 - 2015: British Columbia Local Food Act, 2015". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  35. ^ "Bill M 237 - 2016: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Mink Farms) Amendment Act, 2016". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  36. ^ Kines, Lindsay (January 18, 2017). "Popham faces challengers in South Saanich riding". Times - Colonist. p. A4.
  37. ^ Depner, Wolf (March 14, 2017). "Man who filed complaint against police enters political arena". Saanich News. p. 1.
  38. ^ Shaw, Rob (July 17, 2017). "Priorities for premier's cabinet". The Province. p. A8.
  39. ^ Zussman, Richard; McElroy, Justin (July 18, 2017). "B.C.'s new NDP government sworn into office". CBC News. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  40. ^ Luymes, Glenda (August 14, 2017). "Agriculture Minister's trial by fire; Former farmer Popham starts new job amid 'devastating' crisis facing B.C.'s Interior". The Vancouver Sun. p. A3.
  41. ^ Lazaruk, Susan (October 27, 2019). "Farmers plan to rally at legislature to fight for changes to laws preserving B.C. farmland". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  42. ^ "Province of British Columbia Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council No. 438/2021". Province of British Columbia. July 12, 2021.
  43. ^ Fletcher, Tom (July 12, 2021). "B.C. to ease restrictions on secondary farm homes – in 2022". Vernon Morning Star.
  44. ^ "Province of British Columbia Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council No. 639/2021". Province of British Columbia. November 26, 2021.
  45. ^ Welsh, Eric (November 5, 2021). "BC plans to phase out mink farming industry by 2025". Saanich News.
  46. ^ "New cabinet ready to take action on cost of living, health care, housing, climate" (Press release). Office of the Premier of British Columbia. December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  47. ^ deRosa, Katie (December 8, 2022). "B.C. Premier David Eby unveils new cabinet with Niki Sharma, Katrine Conroy and Ravi Kahlon in top posts". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  48. ^ "Statement of Votes — 42nd Provincial General Election" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  49. ^ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  50. ^ "2017 Provincial General Election - Statement of Votes" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  51. ^ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  52. ^ "Statement of Votes - 40th Provincial General Election" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  53. ^ "Statement of Votes - 39th Provincial General Election" (PDF). Elections BC. January 15, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lana Popham.
British Columbia provincial government of David Eby
Cabinet posts (2)
Predecessor Office Successor
Lisa Beare Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
December 7, 2022 – 		Incumbent
cont'd from Horgan Ministry Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
November 18, 2022 – December 7, 2022 		Pam Alexis
British Columbia provincial government of John Horgan
Cabinet post (1)
Predecessor Office Successor
Norm Letnick Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
July 18, 2017 – November 18, 2022 		cont'd into Eby Ministry
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