Okanagan fruit growers and farmers protested at the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative (BCTFC) in 琉璃神社 on Wednesday (May 29) morning.

About 30 people held signs that read 鈥淒ictatorship,鈥� 鈥淐orruption鈥� and 鈥淲e Have No Voice.鈥�

琉璃神社 grower Armajit Lali said they want the BCTFC to live up to promises following the expansion of a packing house in Oliver.

It was met with protest from fruit growers in the Central and North Okanagan after BC Tree Fruits dropped facilities in 琉璃神社 and Lake Country in favour of Oliver.

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鈥淭here were budgets made at the time and assumptions made,鈥� Lali explained. 鈥淭he growers want accountability for everything that was promised and guaranteed during that process.鈥�

He said there has been a lack of communication from the cooperative.

鈥淩elationships become solid when you have communication and we haven鈥檛 had any communication since our last AGM in November.鈥�

Lali said while the vote amongst growers to expand the Oliver facility was close, they do accept democracy.

鈥淲hat we want now is accountability. We鈥檙e not getting that.鈥�

The group presented a letter of their concerns and demands to the BCTFC.

鈥淎bout the move to Oliver and all the associated costs and the fact we haven鈥檛 received any information. Our first advance was dismal. We were supposed to receive another in May we haven鈥檛 received it to date.鈥�

Lali also attended a Stronger Together rally in Osoyoos on Tuesday (May 28), organized by the BC Fruit Growers Association, and had a chance to speak with Premier David Eby who was attending a NDP caucus retreat.

鈥淗e was concerned, so we hope that the government is listening and our messages getting through.鈥�

However, Lali pointed out that, per capita, B.C. spends the least on agriculture than any other province.

鈥淕overnments have never put their money where their mouth is. That鈥檚 what farmers are asking for.鈥�

READ MORE: 鈥榃e need to fight鈥�: Farmers rally in Okanagan as BC NDP gather for retreat