BCFIRB’s supervisory role
Under the Natural Products Marketing (BC) Act, BCFIRB is responsible for supervising B.C.’s eight agricultural commodity boards and commissions. These boards regulate how certain farm products are produced and marketed.
BCFIRB’s oversight helps ensure board decisions and activities:
- Follow sound marketing policy
- Serve the public interest
- Reflect principles of good governance
BCFIRB’s supervisory role includes:
- Conducting formal supervisory reviews where appropriate
- Providing guidance and direction to encourage good governance
- Promoting dispute resolution to settle disputes without a formal hearing
- Hearing appeals of decisions, orders and determinations
Supervision is ongoing and proactive.
Legal authority for supervision
Under section 7.1 of the Natural Products Marketing (BC) Act, BCFIRB may exercise its general supervisory powers:
- At any time
- With or without a hearing
- In the manner it considers appropriate in the circumstances
BCFIRB’s supervisory role has been affirmed and interpreted through several court decisions, reinforcing its ability to provide oversight, issue directions, and promote effective governance.
What general supervision involves
BCFIRB helps make sure the system is fair, effective, and transparent. Its general supervision includes:
- Reviewing board activities and decisions
- Overseeing governance and performance
- Providing guidance to help boards improve
- Directing boards or commissions when needed
General supervision is complementary to BCFIRB’s role in regulated marketing appeals. Appeals are triggered when someone files an appeal against a board’s decision.
How BCFIRB supervises
BCFIRB’s supervisory activities support strong governance, public trust, and regulatory effectiveness.
Reviews decisions and resolves disputes
BCFIRB uses both formal and informal tools to address issues in the regulated system:
- Supervisory reviews: BCFIRB conducts in-depth reviews when systemic or serious issues arise
- Appeals: BCFIRB hears appeals of regulated marketing boards and commissions’ decisions
- Alternative dispute resolution: BCFIRB helps parties solve disagreements without a formal hearing
Oversees governance with a principles-based approach
BCFIRB typically focuses on what needs to be achieved, rather than prescribing how to do it.
As part of its general supervision role, BCFIRB:
- Uses the SAFETI principles to guide board operations
- Promotes flexible, outcome-based governance
- Provides guidance and oversight to help boards strengthen their practices
- Oversees the Public Accountability and Reporting Program (PARP)
- Approves designated agencies
Builds knowledge and partnerships
To guide its oversight, BCFIRB maintains strong relationships and up-to-date expertise by:
- Collaborating with boards, interest holders, and industry groups to understand evolving sector needs
- Participating in strategic discussions about regulated marketing and system improvements
- Engaging with national marketing agencies and organizations
Keeps regulations current
BCFIRB helps ensure the rules that govern B.C.’s regulated sectors remain clear, relevant, and aligned with legislation by:
- Reviewing and approving board rules, policies, and marketing plans
- Identifying when changes are needed in collaboration with boards, commissions, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Coordinates across jurisdictions
BCFIRB works at the national level to help coordinate policy and develop markets through partnerships and collaborative oversight. BCFIRB participates in regulatory coordination across jurisdictions by:
- Signing and maintaining Federal-Provincial Agreements (FPAs) and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)
- Collaborating with other supervisory agencies on interprovincial and federal matters
- Supporting consistency between provincial and national approaches to marketing regulation