CALGARY  -  The Wildrose Alliance is sounding the alarm over the Stelmach government's Bill 19, calling on the government to change the current proposal before it strips Albertans of their rights.

As proposed, Bill 19 would allow the government to neuter the value of private property during the process of assembling land for utility and transportation corridors, setting a dangerous precedent that could leave current and potential landowners twisting in the wind.

"Establishing utility and transportation corridors makes good sense and benefits all Albertans," says Wildrose Alliance leader Paul Hinman.  "However, the problem is that the land and business owners on the affected lands will lose their rights to development without compensation.  The regulations yet to be revealed could allow for draconian measures to take place to effect such actions.  The government should be going out of its way to treat people fairly, something this Bill does not do.  After all, the government hired private eyes to spy on land holders last year!”

Bill 19 allows the government to register a "Control Order" against the land's title for an indefinite period of time, affecting not only the current owner but also anyone who may consider buying the land.  The Order will restrict what one can do on the property and will likely state that no further improvements or changes of use can be made to it. Since it typically takes the government several years to assemble land for such corridors, it could leave property owners twisting in the wind for years, possibly with no compensation from the government at the end. 

"Just because your land is designated under a Control Order does not mean the government will actually follow through and buy it," Hinman points out.  "Landowners could be faced with a long period of uncertainty during which their lives and/or businesses have to be put on hold. Landowners must be compensated for loss of use as well as potential lost future opportunity." Hinman says the problem would be addressed better through the government purchasing the land and then leasing back the land to the prior landowner.  

The very essence of prosperity is in a free people enjoying the fruits of their labour and the use of their individual properties in the manner to which they see fit. Bill 19 allows the government to ride roughshod over Albertans' property rights, leaving landowners twisting in the wind until the government decides whether or not it will use the property in question.  Since the minister is left with the power to decide, the process could also be susceptible to political considerations and interference.

Hinman also points out that the regulations the bill would create aren't even attached to it, making it impossible to know how the bill will look in the end. "For this reason alone," Hinman says, "The bill needs to go to committee and the regulations must be brought forth at the same time so it can be judged on its merits."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Paul Hinman
Wildrose Alliance leader
Phone: 403 393-2003

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it