10 signatures reached
To: The Thompson‑Nicola Regional District Board of Directors, with copies to the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Protect Agritourism in BC: Align TNRD Policies with ALR/ALC Regulations
.png)
Our Call to Action We, the undersigned, call on the Thompson‑Nicola Regional District to:
- Align local bylaws with ALR/ALC agritourism policies to ensure consistency and fairness.
- Stop misclassifying temporary agritourism accommodations as residential dwellings.
- Collaborate with industry groups, chambers, and tourism organizations to create a clear, fair agritourism toolkit that supports both farmers and regulators.
Why is this important?
Across British Columbia, farmers are facing unnecessary barriers because local governments are misclassifying agritourism accommodations. The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) clearly recognize agritourism as a permitted farm use. Yet, in the Thompson‑Nicola Regional District (TNRD), seasonal, off‑grid farm‑stay units are being misclassified as “single family dwellings.”
This misclassification threatens the viability of agritourism businesses, undermines provincial policy, and penalizes farms that are operating in good faith under ALR/ALC guidelines.
Agritourism is not just about farm stays — it’s about:
Agritourism is not just about farm stays — it’s about:
- Strengthening rural economies.
- Supporting local food systems.
- Providing authentic educational and cultural experiences.
- Building bridges between farms and communities.
When local governments undermine agritourism, they undermine the resilience of farming itself.
Join Us We urge the TNRD Board to reject punitive measures and instead work with farmers, chambers, and tourism groups to create policies that support agritourism across the region.
👉 Sign this petition to stand with BC farmers and protect the future of agritourism.