Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick announced today that 12 commissioners and six vice chairs have been appointed to the Agricultural Land Commission’s (ALC) six regional panels, and that all panel vacancies are now filled.

Each regional panel consists of a vice chair and two commissioners. The panels will represent and perform the duties of the ALC including all decisions relating to applications and planning issues for their region. Each commissioner and vice chair resides in the Panel Region they were appointed to.

Interior Panel Region
Gordon Gillette, Vice Chair*
Lucille Dempsey, Commissioner*
Richard Mumford, Commissioner

Island Panel Region
Jennifer Jane Dyson, Vice Chair*
Honey Forbes, Commissioner(I)
Clarke Gourlay, Commissioner

Kootenay Panel Region
Sharon Mielnichuk, Vice Chair
Ian Knudsen, Commissioner
Jerry Thibeault, Commissioner*

South Coast Panel Region
William Zylmans, Vice Chair
Gordon McCallum, Commissioner
Satwinder Bains, Commissioner

North Panel Region
Dave Merz, Vice Chair
Sandra Busche, Commissioner
Garry Scott, Commissioner

Okanagan Coast Panel Region
Gerald Zimmermann, Vice Chair
Greg Norton, Commissioner(I)
James Johnson, Commissioner*

* current member of the ALC
(I) effective December 30, 2014

ALC vice chairs are appointed by Order-in-Council, and members are appointed by Ministerial Order. Each appointee will go through an ALC-led orientation and training process as part of their duties.

The ALC is an independent administrative tribunal chaired by Mr. Richard Bullock, mandated to preserve agricultural land, encourage farming in collaboration with other communities of interest, and to encourage local governments, First Nations, the government and its agents to enable and accommodate farm use of agricultural land and uses compatible with agriculture in their plans, bylaws and policies.

A backgrounder with a short biography on each appointee follows. Biographies will also be available at: http://www.brdo.gov.bc.ca/boardView.asp?boardNum=171593

Media Contacts:

Jason Macnaughton
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-1812

BACKGROUNDER

Current Composition of the ALC

Name: Richard R. Bullock
Position: Chair
Location: KELOWNA
Appointed: 11 Jun 2010
Expiry/Terminate: Re-30 Nov 2013, 30 Nov 2015

Name: Lucille H. Dempsey
Position: Member - Interior Panel
Location: KAMLOOPS
Appointed: 1 May 2009
Expiry/Terminate: Re-15 Feb 2012, 1 May 2015

Name: Jerry P. Thibeault
Position: Member - Kootenay Panel
Location: CRANBROOK
Appointed: 9 Dec 2008
Expiry/Terminate: Re-31 Dec 2013, 31 Dec 2015

Name: James Johnson
Position: Member - Okanagan Panel
Location: CHERRYVILLE
Appointed: 23 Jun 2010
Expiry/Terminate: Re-30 Jun 2014, 30 Dec 2014

Name: Jennifer Jane Dyson
Position: Section 6 ATA Appointment*
Location: PORT ALBERNI
Appointed: 1 Apr 2008
Expiry/Terminate: Re-1 Jul 2014, 1 Jan 2015

Name: Gordon C. Gillette
Position: Section 6 ATA Appointment*
Location: WILLIAMS LAKE
Appointed: 1 Dec 2006
Expiry/Terminate: Re-1 Jul 2014, 1 Jan 2015

Name: Hubert (Bert) A. Miles
Position: Section 6 ATA Appointment*
Location: VERNON
Appointed: 11 Jun 2010
Expiry/Terminate: Re-30 Jun 2014, 30 Dec 2014

* Currently appointed by Chair after consultation with the Minister under s. 6 of the Administrative Tribunals Act.

INTERIOR PANEL:

Vice Chair: Existing, Gordon Gillette, term ends Jan 1, 2015
Member: Existing, Lucille Dempsey, Term ends May 1, 2015
Member: NEW: Richard Mumford

Gordon Gillette- VICE CHAIR - Williams Lake
Current Vice-Chair, term expires Jan 1, 2015
Prior to his retirement, Mr. Gillette spent 31 years with the Cariboo Regional District. He started with various positions in high lead logging operations and progressed to various union planning positions. Most recently, he was the CAO (Administrator) at the Cariboo Regional District after positions as the Operations Manager and the Director of Development Services. Active in the community, Mr. Gillette has previously served as a Director with the Williams Lake Rod and Gun; and as a Treasurer, Secretary, and Director with the Cariboo Archers. Mr. Gillette has his Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Victoria.

Lucille Dempsey - Kamloops
Current Member, term expires May 1, 2015
Lucille Dempsey's family has a lengthy history in the ranching industry. She has a unique background mix that includes a professional designation as a Certified Management Accountant along with a comprehensive knowledge of agriculture and land use issues. She has been involved on various boards and associations related to the agriculture industry such as BC Cattlemen's Association, Kamloops Stockmen's Association, Lac du Bois Local Resource Use Plan, Agricultural Labour Partnership Committee, BC Agriculture Labour Market and Skills Development Initiative, and Kamloops & District Woodlot Association. Ms. Dempsey holds an Accounting and Business Administration Diploma from Cariboo College, and she is a Certified Management Accountant.

Richard (Rick) Mumford - Alexis Creek (Cariboo)
Effective upon pronouncement, for a term of 4 years
Rick Mumford is a Contractor with the BC Cattlemen's Association. Previously, he was the owner/president of Chiltech Forestry Ltd., and before that he was a manager with the Ministry of Forests. Active in his community, Mr. Mumford is a director with Tsi Del Del Enterprises Ltd. (a timber harvesting company jointly owned by the Alexis Creek Indian Band and Tolko Industries Ltd.), and has sat on many boards including the Cariboo Regional District Board, the Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Board (chair), the West Chilcotin Forest Products Ltd., and Yun Ka Whu'ten Holdings Ltd. Mr. Mumford holds his Forest Resource Technology Diploma from the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT).

ISLAND PANEL:

Vice Chair: Reappointed, Jennifer Jane Dyson
Member: NEW: Honey Forbes
Member: NEW: Clarke Gourlay

Jennifer Jane Dyson - VICE CHAIR - Port Alberni
Current Vice-Chair, Reappointed effective Jan 1, 2015, to Jan 1, 2017
Jennifer Dyson operates a diversified farm in the Alberni Valley with her husband. It is a farm direct business growing berries, vegetables, flowers and cattle. Their vision is to promote local food production and local food products. Active in her community, Ms. Dyson is the BC Horticulture Representative on the Agriculture and Environment Partnership Committee; a member of the Management Committee for the Working Group on the Agriculture Policy Framework; a member of the Agriculture Environment Partnership Initiative Management Committee; and she is an appointee to the Island Agri-Food Initiative Framework. Ms. Dyson was the BC Agriculturist of the Year in 1998; a director on the Canadian Federation of Agriculture; a director of the Island Farmers Alliance; a peer advisor for the Agricultural Environmental Peer Advisory Board for Horticulture on Vancouver Island; a past member of the Comox Valley Farmers Institute; a past member of the Arrowsmith Farmers Institute; and, past president of the Pacific Rim Tourism Association. She was also the co-ordinator for the Canada/BC Farm Business Program, and has published over 12 articles relating to Agriculture in BC and Canada. Ms. Dyson completed her Early Childhood Education at Malaspina College (now Vancouver Island University), and her degree in Business Administration at North Island College.

Honey Forbes - Duncan
Effective upon pronouncement, for a term of 3 years
Honey Forbes resides in Duncan and is currently working as a coroner in her community. She has a broad range of knowledge and experience with food, health and agriculture issues. Ms. Forbes was raised on a dairy farm in Alberta, was a long time consumer representative on the Consultative Committee and the Canadian Milk Supply Management Committee of the Canadian Dairy Commission, a consumer representative and board member of the Canadian Agri food Research Council and a consumer representative on Health Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Trans Fat Task Force. A former Saskatoon grower in Alberta, she remains actively involved in family agri business interests in Alberta and B.C. She holds an RN diploma, BScN and LLB degrees from the University of Alberta, and a Leadership diploma from the Canadian Farm Business Management Council's CALL program. She is a past member of the British Columbia Farm Industry Review Board.

R. Clarke Gourlay - Parksville
Effective upon pronouncement, for a term of 4 years
R. Clarke Gourlay is the Owner and General Manager of the Little Qualicum Cheeseworks in Parksville, where he and his wife have built and operate an active agri-food and agri-tourism business based around dairy farming and artisan cheese making. Before launching this business, he was involved in international humanitarian aid work with MEDAIR, and previous to that he was the associate pastor of the Snowdon Baptist Church in Montreal. Mr. Gourlay holds his Bachelor of Arts in Middle East Studies and Political Science from McGill University, a Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies from Regent College, and is currently completing his Master of Arts in Leadership and Management at Briercrest Seminary in Saskatchewan.

KOOTENAY PANEL:

Vice Chair: NEW, Sharon Mielnichuk
Member: NEW, Ian Knudsen
Member: Existing, Jerry Thibeault

Sharon Mielnichuk - VICE CHAIR - Fort Steele
Effective upon pronouncement, for a term of 4 years
Sharon Mielnichuk is currently a director for Community Futures and a member of Mediators of BC. Previously, she was a member of the Regional District of East Kootenay Agricultural Plan Steering Committee and the Cranbrook Farmer’s Market Board. Ms. Mielnichuk was also the board chair for the Farm Mediation Service, the Canadian Farm Business Management Council, co-founder of the BC Farm Women’s Network and founder of the Canadian Farm Women’s Network. In the past, she owned and operated Fort Steele Farms which is a poultry farm. Ms. Mielnichuk holds her Master of Arts Degree in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University, her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta and she completed her Certificate in Conflict Resolution from the Justice Institute.

Ian Knudsen - Creston
Effective upon pronouncement, for a term of 3 years
Ian Knudsen is currently the owner and operator of Sun Beam farms. Previously, he was the manager of Schofer Farms and manager of Top Potato Farms. In the past, he was the vice president and current member for the Kootenay Livestock Association and trustee for the Creston Dyking District. Mr. Knudsen is currently a member of the BC Cattlemen Association and the Creston Valley Beef Growers Association. He completed the Trac program at Camosun College.

Jerry Thibeault - Cranbrook
Current member, term expires Dec 31, 2015
Jerry Thibeault is the co-owner of the Thibeault Ranch and a livestock inspector with Ownership Identification Inc. Mr. Thibeault was also a former committee chair with the Kootenay Livestock Association.

NORTH PANEL:

Vice Chair: NEW: Dave Merz
Member: NEW: Sandra Busche
Member: NEW: Garry Scott

David Merz - VICE CHAIR - Fort Fraser
Effective upon pronouncement, for a term of 4 years
Dave Merz is the owner and operator of Nechako Bend Ranch Ltd. with almost 50 years of experience in British Columbia's Agriculture industry. Active in his community, he serves as a member of the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District Area Planning Commission and as chair of the Fort Fraser Volunteer Fire Department Executive. Previously, Mr. Merz served as president of the BC Cattlemen’s Association; chair of the Beef Cattle Industry Development Fund; chair of the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society; member of the BC Farm Industry Review Board; and member for Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs for the Northern Interior Regional Advisory Committee (NIRAC). He holds his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Engineering from Oregon State University.

Sandra Busche - Fort St. John
Effective upon pronouncement, for a term of 3 years
Sandra Busche is the administrator and bookkeeper for Eagle Vision Video Productions Ltd., a company that she and her husband started over 15 years ago. Her experience in aerial photography has given her insight into the Agriculture, Forestry, and Oil and Gas Industries. Previously, she was the administrator and accounts payable for Murphy Oil Co., and before that she was a personal care aide at Holly MacDonald House. Ms. Busche completed her Bookkeeping certificate at Northern Lights College.

Garry Gregson Scott - Rolla
Effective upon pronouncement, for a term of 2 years
Garry Scott is a retired farmer, having farmed in the Rolla Area of the South Peace Region for 43 years after taking over his family business. His farm produced grains, oilseeds and grass seed, as well as running a pedigree seed business. Mr. Scott transitioned from farming to real estate investment, and is the president of Coleman Creek Investments Ltd., and is also president of Northern Mountain Water Ltd. Active in his community, Mr. Scott was involved with the Rolla Community Center as director, treasurer, and president; with the South Peace Grain Cleaning Co-Op as director and president; the BC Farm Debt Review Board as panelist, field person, and chair; with the BC, Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories Appeal Board as chair; and with the Canadian Seed Growers Association as a member and director of the BC Branch. He has also been actively involved with the BC Crop Insurance Program; the Gross Revenue Insurance Program; the Net Income Stabilization Act; the Rural Transportation Advisory Committee; the Profarm Program; and the BC Oil and Gas Conference.

OKANAGAN PANEL:

Vice Chair: NEW, Gerald Zimmermann
Member: NEW, Greg Norton, effective upon Hubert Miles’ current term ending
Member: Existing, James Johnson reappointed

Gerald Zimmermann - VICE CHAIR - Kelowna
Effective upon pronouncement, for a term of 4 years
Gerald Zimmermann is an outgoing Kelowna City councillor, as well as being the former fire chief, deputy fire chief, assistant fire chief, firefighter and lieutenant of the City of Kelowna. Active in his community, Mr. Zimmermann sits on the Central Okanagan Regional District Board, the Black Mountain Irrigation Board, the Okanagan Regional Library Board, and the Okanagan Basin Water Board. His past commitments include the Agricultural Land Commission, the Patient Care and Quality Review Board, chair of the RDCO Fire Chiefs, and the director of the BC Fire Chiefs Organization. Mr. Zimmermann holds his Certificate in Municipal Government Administration from Malaspina College, now Vancouver Island University.

Greg Norton - Oliver
Effective Dec 30, 2014, for a term ending Dec 30, 2017
Greg Norton has been a fruit farmer in Oliver, B.C. since 1988. Before taking over the fruit farm, he was a foreman with the Town of Oliver Irrigation District. Active in his community, Mr. Norton is chair of the Agriculture Area Plan Committee Rural Oliver, chair of the Environmental Farm Plan Working Group, chair of the Agriculture Research and Development, chair of the Agriculture Environment Initiatives Board, and president of the Loose Bay Campground Society. He is also past president and director of the Okanagan Cherry Growers Association, past chair and director of the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen, past vice-president of the BC Wildlife Federation, and the founding chair of the Sterile Insect Release Program.

James Johnson - Cherryville
Originally appointed June 23, 2010; reappointed effective Dec 30, 2014, for a term ending Dec 30, 2016
Jim Johnson is an owner and operator of a personal catering business and has worked in the forestry industry for 35 years. Most recently, he was a pole buyer with Bell Pole Company where he managed the trade relationships with other forest licensees for bell pole needs and purchased fibre from private land owner, woodlot owners, and small business programs. Active in the community, he is involved with the Cherryville Community Club and serves as chair of Cherryville Cemetery. In addition, Mr. Johnson is a former chair and alternate director with the Electoral Area E Regional District of the North Okanagan.

SOUTH COAST PANEL:

Vice Chair: NEW: William Zylmans
Member: NEW: Gordon McCallum
Member: NEW: Satwinder Bains

William Zylmans - VICE CHAIR - Delta
Effective upon pronouncement, for a term of 4 years
William Zylmans is the owner of W&A Farms in Richmond, growing produce. Active in his community, he is chair of the BC Potato and Vegetable Committee, president of the BC Seed Potato Growers Committee, member and vice chair of the Greater Vancouver Regional District's Advisory Committee, as well as member and co-chair of the Richmond Ag Advisory Committee. Mr. Zylmans is a former leader of the 4H Club.

Gordon D. McCallum - Cloverdale
Effective upon pronouncement, for a term of 2 years
Gordon McCallum is a retired Elementary School principal from Surrey. He continues to do contract work for the Surrey School board. Active in his community, he was an executive of the Surrey Principal and Vice Principal’s Association, a member of the Delta Scottsdale Lion’s Club and a member of the BC Lion’s Society for Children with Disabilities. Mr. McCallum holds his Masters of Education from the University of Western Washington and his Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Satwinder K. Bains - Abbotsford
Effective upon pronouncement, for a term of 3 years
Satwinder Bains is the director of the Centre for Indo Canadian Studies at the University of the Fraser Valley and an instructor in the India Canada Studies Program. Ms. Bains has twenty six years of work experience in community development in the Fraser Valley, provincially, nationally and internationally. Currently, she is a PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University in the Faculty of Education. Her research interest and expertise is in the field of cross cultural education and community development. At the present time she is researching the issues that the Indo-Canadian community faces in terms of child protection in Canada. This cross cultural study proposes models of education and social services for the Ministry of Children and Family Development in B.C. Ms. Bains holds her Master of Education, as well as her Bachelor of Arts.

Media Contacts:

Jason Macnaughton
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-1812