Growing high-value food crops in greenhouses is not a viable future in Canada anymore. That’s coming from the head of a company involved in converting greenhouse space in Delta to grow cannabis, while the city’s mayor expresses concerns about the change.

Michael DeGiglio, CEO of Village Farms, says his company continually lost money growing produce and jobs are in jeopardy without a change. So for him, it’s about survival.

He argues vegetable growers here just can’t compete with those in places like Mexico, where he points out much of our produce comes from.

DeGiglio explains workers here are paid between $16 and $20 an hour, whereas in Mexico they’re paid $4 to $6 per hour. “And then you add carbon tax and all the other taxes associated with it — there’s just no margin anymore in food production.”

“At this point in time, cannabis is only allowed in Canada by companies or farmers like ourselves that can produce cannabis in Canada, only,” he adds.

The mayor of Delta has said she’s concerned more farmers will turn to cannabis, and we’ll lose our ability to grow our own food.

Village Farms and a business partner are in the process of converting 1.1 million square feet of greenhouse space in Delta.