The North Saanich Agricultural Advisory Commission was established in September 2007. The purpose of the Commission is to provide recommendations to the North Saanich Council on agricultural issues within the District referred to the Commission by the Council, the Committee of the Whole or District staff, which may include but are not limited to:

a)

applications initiated under the Agricultural Land Commission Act (ALCA) and Soil Conservation Act (SCA);

b)

applications to amend official community plans and bylaws;

c)

assisting with comprehensive reviews or development of:

major development proposals with potential impact on agriculture;

effectiveness of noxious insect and weed control regulations and programs.

The Commission may be requested, from time to time, to provide recommendations on:

enhancing an understanding of agriculture's role in the local and /or regional economy;

improving opportunities for joint funding of drainage and irrigation works;

identifying and effecting change regarding the impact of transportation and utility corridors on agriculture.

The Commission consists of nine voting members as follows:

Seven representatives as appointed by the Council from the North Saanich agricultural community which may include members from the Peninsula Agricultural Commission, the Southern Vancouver Island Direct Farm Marketing Association, and the agricultural community at large;

Other non-voting members of the Agricultural Advisory Commission are:

one member from Council to serve as Council Liaison to the Commission for a one-year term;

one recording secretary who may be a member of the Commission or an employee of the District.