More than three-in-four British Columbians (78%) would increase the amount of food grown, processed and packaged on the ALR.
Vancouver, BC [September 3, 2025] – Sizeable proportions of British Columbians support modifications to the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), a new Research Co. poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than seven-in-ten British Columbians (73%) think British Columbia should maximize the food production use of ALR land, including land of poor soil quality that is currently not farmable, unfarmed, or used for agricultural purposes.
The ALR in British Columbia is a provincial zone where agriculture is the priority use. A significant portion of the ALR is currently unfarmed or not actively used for agricultural purposes.
Majorities of British Columbians who voted for the Conservative Party of BC (74%), the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (76%) and the BC Green Party (79%) are in favour of maximizing the food production use of ALR land.
BC Consumers rely heavily on fruit and vegetables that are grown in the United States. Climate change has reduced the amount of arable land in the U.S., and the second presidency of Donald Trump in the has led to the imposition of new tariffs.
More than three-in-four British Columbians (78%) are “very worried” or “moderately worried” about BC’s food security being threatened and want the province to take immediate steps to increase the amount of food grown, processed and packaged on the ALR.
“Environmental and political concerns about food security are prevalent across British Columbia,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Sizeable proportions of residents of Vancouver Island (85%), the Fraser Valley (80%), Metro Vancouver (78%), Northern BC (78%) and Southern BC (77%) are worried.”
Some Industry and Farm Groups argue that allowing food processing facilities on ALR land could increase local value added food production and diversify farmer incomes. Others worry this could lead to too much manufacturing activity on farm lands.
When presented with the two arguments, seven-in-ten British Columbians (70%) support allowing food processing facilities on ALR land—a proportion that rises to 76% on Vancouver Island and to 80% in Northern BC.
Three-in-four British Columbians (75%) think the provincial government should require Food Processors to source at least 50% of their food inputs from BC Growers when and if seasonally available.
Soils in BC are classified from 1-7, with Classes 1-3 being the most arable and Classes 4-7 being the least arable. Just under half of British Columbians (48%) would limit food processing to the least arable soils, while more than three-in-ten (31%) would allow food processing throughout the ALR.
Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from August 9 to August 11, 2025, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.
Find our data tables here and download the press release here.
For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca