Battle over monster homes on farmland in British Columbia

The loss of farmland in Canada is an ongoing concern as urban sprawl and speculation eats up more and more of this critical resource.

In the city of Richmond, British Columbia, the battle has been over enormous “monster” houses being built on farmland.

Although Canada is huge, one group, Canadians for a Sustainable Society, put suitable cropland at only 3.2 percent of the land mass, and pasture land at 4.2 per cent. According to the World Bank, arable land in Canada in 2015 was a mere 4.7 per cent.

Richmond was once a vast rich farming area, but its proximity to booming Vancouver has meant urban expansion, What has becoming worrisome to many is that has now spread to land reserved for agriculture, known as Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).

People have been buying up plots of farmland and building enormous houses on it.  In some cases, buying farmland becomes very attractive as there are significant tax breaks although no farming is being done.

Land loss, less food production, fewer farmers

Not only are there concerns about how the loss of farmland will effect food production, but also how these practices are pushing the value of the land beyond the reach of future farmers.

• RCI: Apr 2014: Sask farmland costs skyrocket
• RCI: Aug 2016: Vancouver, mansion teardown to build monster home
• RCI: Oct 2017: (interview) concern over farmland speculation “land grabs”
• RCI: May 14/18: cost of Canadian farmland rising

Years of debate have led to a decision this month to maintain a previous size limit on 20 acres land of houses up to 10.764 sq ft (1,000sq/m) with an additional secondary home of up to 3,229 sq ft.

In a press release today, the B.C Green Party is calling on the provincial government to take more drastic action to save farmland.

Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands said  “This decision at Richmond Council will drive the price of ALR in their community sky high, it will impact the rest of the province and demonstrates the need for action at the provincial level. ….The issue of speculation driving up land prices is well-documented and its solutions are clear. Delaying action only causes the issue to spiral further out of control: Last year, Richmond alone lost 50 farms due to the construction of mega-mansions on farmland. I urge the Minister in the strongest terms to recognise and take immediate action before any more farmland is lost.”

Although Richmond council voted not to impose further restrictions on “monster” homes on farm lots, it is highly likely the controversy and battle will continue, not only in Richmond, but elsewhere across Canada, involving issues of both the loss of valuable farmlands, and mega houses.

Additional information-sources

• Urbanized: K Chan: May 15/18: mansions continue to be allowed
• Global TV :Duran/Lazatin: May 15/18: Richmond votes to allow megahomes
• CBC: M Laanela: May 15/18: Richmond opts for status quo
• Canadians for a Sustainable Society ; farmland loss
• Richmond Farmwatch
• Business Insider: L Garfield: Sp 25/17: mega homes- tax breaks