Land, water and community: these are the three pillars that local organic farmer and food security advocate, Arzeena Hamir, is running on for the election of CVRD’s Area B.
Hamir moved to the Comox Valley in 2012 and since then, has started a co-operative, a farmer’s institute, and volunteered for a number of local organizations such as Fertile Ground, Seed Savers, and the Comox Valley Multicultural Society.
The recent public outrage against a potential water bottling plant in Merville highlighted how vulnerable the Valley’s aquifers and water systems are to exploitation.
“The CVRD had to work as the line of last defence and that is extremely unfair for the province to download that responsibility onto local governments to police. The permits should have never been allowed in the first place.
“At the other end of the spectrum, those residents on city water supply have to live through boil water advisories. We need a better way of watershed planning that ensures a safe, consistent water supply for everyone.
“I don’t think it comes as a surprise that agricultural land preservation is one of my key issues”.
Agriculture Minister Lana Popham chose Arzeena to sit on the provincial ALR Revitalization Committee a year ago.
“We have a number of residents in the Valley who are retiring and not able to actively farm and at the same time, a new generation of farmers who can’t afford to buy farmland. We need creative ways to bring them together.”
If Arzeena wins everyone in Area B benefits by having a fresh perspective and an intelligent, experienced, gritty, woman who will voice constituents’ concerns in a completely transparent manner. Arzeena has a track record of taking on food, land, water and other issues that face communities. Arzeena is a consensus builder with a dynamic record and she is listening to her constituents.
Arzeena can be reached at:
Phone: 250-702-5657
e-mail: arzeena.hamir@gmail.com
website: www.arzeena.ca
twitter: @arzeena