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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2018
The voice of Delta since 1922
Wine war hits Westham Local winery is caught in the middle of B.C.-Alberta pipeline dispute IAN JACQUES
i j a c q u e s @ d e l t a - o p t i m i s t .co m
It’s grapevine versus pipeline as the B.C. wine industry faces significant economic losses following a ban on the export of wine to Alberta. The ban was put in place this week by Alberta Premier Rachel Notley who said her government would stop the import of B.C. wine. Her shot across the bow comes after B.C. Premier John Horgan said a public consultation was needed to consider restricting an increase in bitumen flow to B.C.’s coast in another attempt to prevent the expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline, a project the federal government has already approved. Caught in the middle of this battle of the grapes are wineries such as Westham Island’s Angel Estate Winery. Manager Errol Sherley said the ban will have negative impacts throughout the industry. “We are angry about it. It will have serious effects on our sales to Alberta,” Sherley said. “This is a government that doesn’t like small business it seems. It just hurts our bottom line.” He said with B.C. wines not available to Albertans, consumers will now turn to cheaper American brands. “It’s just going to hurt us in terms of our Canadian reputation and sales,” he said. “And with many consumers if they get the taste of other wines they will not come back to the good quality, wholesome wine that is
PHOTO BY IAN JACQUES
Westham Island’s Angel Estate Winery manager Errol Sherley said the ban on wine exports to Alberta will have negative impacts throughout the industry. made in the neighbouring province in the same country.” Delta South MLA and Liberal agriculture critic Ian Paton said it’s time for Horgan to stop his trade spat with Alberta. “This has gotten absurd. You
now have two NDP governments fighting a trade war over a project that has received approval from the federal government, who has the final say in this,” said Paton. “As the premier looks to delay and defer decisions, his
inability to stand up to pressure from his junior Green partners is now threatening agricultural jobs across B.C. He needs to stop playing games — these are people’s livelihoods.” PATON: see Page 3
Industrial park application at edge of bog
SANDOR GYARMATI
s g y a r m a t i @ d e l t a - o p t i m i s t .c o m
Delta council has given preliminary approval for another property bordering Burns Bog to be turned into an industrial park. The latest proposal is to develop the 66-hectare (163acre) Pineland Peat site into several heavy-industrial lots. The property, which is not in the Agricultural Land Reserve, borders the south side of the Burns Bog conservancy area. The industrial park would be accessed from 88th Street and to facilitate two-way truck traffic the street would be widened. Also to mitigate traffic impacts, several other improvements are proposed, including a new interchange at Highway 99 and 78th Street. As far as impacts to the neighbouring bog, a Delta staff report notes the applicant is proposing a 30-metre (98foot) buffer along the north and west property lines. The buffers would be built by the applicant but later owned and managed by Delta. The Burns Bog Conservation Society has voiced opposition to the development, having launched a petition last fall asking the federal government to halt the Pineland Peat plan, as well as the 62-hectare (155-acre) MK Delta Lands development, which council already approved, on the north side of the bog. A public hearing will be scheduled.