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Penticton  

NDP starts food fight

UPDATE 4:00 p.m.

B.C. NDP Leader John Horgan made a stop in Penticton at Maple Leaf Spirits on Tuesday to announce his government's support for B.C. agriculture.

He also blasted the Liberals, saying they have left the craft beverage industry to fend for itself.

Horgan says the NDP will bring back the Buy B.C. program, to encourage the use of B.C. products by consumers and in public buildings.

“Connecting the products to people, that’s a concerted advertising campaign, not just throwing out dollars before an election campaign, but making that commitment that whenever you go to a grocery store the Buy B.C. program will be inviting you to areas where you can find B.C. products,” he said.

He pointed to imported fruit cups being served in B.C. hospitals as a big red flag, that the system is not working.

Horgan added that he is confident the NDP will be able to win seats in the upcoming election.

“Yes we can, well I won’t, he will,” Horgan said, pointing to Penticton NDP candidate Tarik Sayeed. “I’m very excited about our prospects in the South Okanagan, not just here but in the Boundary-Similkameen.

Reached by phone, incumbent Penticton Liberal MLA Dan Ashton dismissed Horgan’s claims and said they have always backed BC agriculture and craft beverage makers.

“Look at the changeover that has taken place in the Okanagan Valley, from when many of my age grew up with apples, pears, peaches and cherries, and look at the viticulture that’s taking place now, and look at the changes that are positive.”


ORIGINAL 2:00 p.m.

BC NDP Leader John Horgan was in the South Okanagan on Tuesday, promoting local food and drink products.

Taking aim at the B.C. government's Buy Local and Eat Drink Local programs, Horgan was at the Maple Leaf Spirits distillery in Penticton promoting his "Grow BC, Feed BC, Buy BC" initiative.

"The food we eat from B.C. farmers has been falling. Employment has also been falling and our agricultural land is at risk," Horgan said in a news release.

"The hardworking people in agriculture, food processing and the growing beer, wine, cider and spirits sector want to create thousands of good jobs, if we create more opportunities for them to succeed."

The Grow BC, Feed BC, Buy BC initiative would have the B.C. government promoting and marketing B.C. food and beverage producers in and out of the province, incentivizing B.C. hospitals and care facilities to serve B.C. products and protecting agricultural land to mitigate effects of climate change.

BC Liberal MLA Dan Ashton did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Castanet has a reporter at the meeting with Horgan and will update with more details soon.

with files from Dustin Godfrey 



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