Lana Popham

Lana Popham has been the MLA for Saanich South since 2009 and is currently B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture and Food. 

Lana previously served as the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports for two years and prior to that was B.C.’s first and longest serving woman Agriculture minister from 2017 to 2022. 

Lana was raised on Quadra Island in a do-it-yourself community, where growing food, raising animals and harvesting from the sea was a way of life.

Her interest in urban planning led her to UBC where she graduated with a degree in geography.

In 1996, Lana made her home in Saanich South. She co-founded and operated Barking Dog Vineyard, the first certified organic vineyard on Vancouver Island. She also managed a crew of vineyard workers who took care of many vineyards on the Saanich Peninsula and has been a strong advocate for food producers in Saanich for many years.

Lana served on Saanich’s Planning, Transportation and Economic Development Committee and on the Peninsula Agricultural Commission. She was also president of the Vancouver Island Grape Growers Association, chair of the Certification Committee for the Islands Organic Producers Association, and a member of the Investment Agriculture Board.

Lana has travelled the province extensively, meeting with farmers, agricultural associations and food advocacy groups. She has championed numerous agricultural initiatives, including the Buy BC program which promotes local food and beverage businesses and Feed BC which has resulted in more B.C.-grown and processed food in hospitals, care homes, and post-secondary institutions. 

As the MLA for Saanich South, Lana actively supports her constituents and has organized many community meetings, gatherings, rallies and marches.

Lana entered politics to improve the quality of life in Saanich, promote sustainable agriculture and strengthen the provincial response to climate change.

Lana previously served as the Official Opposition Spokesperson for a variety of files, including agriculture and food, small business, and tourism, arts and culture.