To the Editor:
Last Saturday, as I visited the Creston Valley Farmers’ Market, I purchased some local cherries. Now that the harvest is starting it reminded me of a problem that has become all too familiar to residents of Canyon: the unofficial cherry harvesters’ camp located by the Canyon Bridge.
I understand that most of the orchardists — save two or three — provide accommodation on-site for their workers. Those orchardists that do not provide living space for their employees condemn them to find living space such as they can. Given the limited public campground space, many people make their way to the Canyon Bridge. In 2010, an informal count found seven people living in this makeshift camp. By comparison, in 2015 more than 125 people were “housed” there.
There are many challenges with people camping near the bridge, including danger from wildlife to the campers, lack of drinking water, inadequate sanitation, lack of garbage collection and the danger of starting a forest fire. There has been garbage collection in previous years, but it has been organized through the Canyon Community Association and funded by the taxpayers of Regional District of Central Kootenay Area B. The lack of toilet facilities is unsanitary. I am surprised that the Interior Health Authority and Ministry of Environment have not stepped in, as the sewage left there must surely seep down to the Goat River and pollute it — perhaps even endangering the health and safety of those who make use of the river further downstream. Last year, during our long, hot summer, the Canyon-Lister Fire Department attended the camp on almost a daily basis, concerned that one small campfire could get out of control and, given the drought conditions, cause a major forest fire.
I must remind the residents of the valley that the vast majority of the orchardists are attentive to all aspects of their business, including that of housing their harvesters. But for the two or three growers who refuse to address this issue, I have a suggestion: I call upon the RDCK to identify those farms and place a per acre tax on them. Those orchardists providing accommodation for their employees would be exempt from this tax. The funds so generated from taxation on those who do not provide adequate accommodation would allow the RDCK to buy a parcel of land on which to house cherry harvesters, thus providing a permanent and safe solution.
I would also remind residents that this is not just a “Canyon” problem, as an additional 300 acres have been planted near Wynndel and should be ready for harvesting in a few short years. I do not know what plans are in place for the newly required workers, but I sincerely hope it is better than how these two or three orchardists have dealt with their current workers. If 125 cherry workers living in a squalid camp with no amenities have caused sewage, garbage and potential forest fire chaos for the past few years, please imagine what 250 workers living at the Canyon Bridge could bring.
The orchard workers will be arriving in our valley shortly, and I ask that the RDCK move forward with my suggestion and implement it immediately. After all, by and large these harvesters are our fellow Canadians and they deserve better from us. I hope we can all work together to generate a solution of which we can all be proud.
Mike Ramaradhya
Canyon