The Honourable Lana Popham
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Lana Popham was elected MLA for Saanich South in 2009, and re-elected in 2013, 2017, and 2020. She is the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport.
Lana served as the Official Opposition critic for agriculture and food, and small business and as the Official Opposition critic for tourism, arts and culture.
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.
After being elected in 2009, Lana served as Opposition critic for agriculture for eight years. She travelled the province extensively, meeting with farmers, agricultural associations and food advocacy groups. She has championed numerous agricultural initiatives, including the Buy BC programme, improvements to the meat regulations and increased institutional procurement of local food.
As the MLA for Saanich South, Lana actively supports her constituents and has organized many community meetings, gatherings, rallies and marches. She has also spearheaded successful initiatives such as safety improvements to the intersection of Pat Bay Highway and Sayward Road.
Lana entered politics to improve the quality of life in Saanich, promote sustainable agriculture and strengthen the provincial response to climate change.
