Concerns about land expropriation

The Alberta Government’s Bill 19, the Land Assembly Project Area Act, has drawn criticism from a wide array of forces and unified the opposition against Premier Ed Stelmach’s Conservative Government. 

A press release from the Alberta government dated March 2 states, “enhanced accountability and transparency is the focus of proposed legislation to improve the way the Government of Alberta identifies and sets aside land for large-scale infrastructure projects related to transportation, utilities and water management.” 

That said, opposition parties are not thrilled with the fine print contained in Bill 19. Liberal Hugh MacDonald accused the Alberta government “of failing to consult with land-owners,” with NDP leader Brian Mason echoing these concerns, according to the CBC. 

The Alberta Green Party sent around a press release detailing which rights they think are lost under Bill 19. Some of these lost rights include the right to question the project, or the expropriation of your property for that purpose, the right to be represented by counsel at an inquiry, the right of notification, the right to have the property appraised, the right to be compensated immediately, as well as the right to protect mineral rights from expropriation, said the press release.

According to Joe Anglin, the Alberta Green Party leader, as stated in the release, “the worst part of Bill 19 is reserved for any Albertan who would interfere with, object to, or resist, an order from the Minister to vacate their property, or sign on the dotted line at a price determined by the Minister. Under Section 7 and 12 of the Act, if in the Minister’s opinion a person is doing something, or the Minister thinks a person is going to do something, the Minister can order a person to stop, and do something else.”

Local resident and federal Green Party candidate Monika Schaefer thinks the piece of legislation is “Orwellian... People have to wake up... this thing is the most draconian unbelievable assault on democracy that we’ve seen ever,” she said. Schaefer went on to say “if this was a benevolent and green-minded government who decided they wanted to expropriate land from a dirty business who’s polluting the land... and they’re going to give it back to park land,” that would be different.

As a result of the outrage over Bill 19, Minister of Infrastructure Jack Hayden wrote an open letter to Albertans, dated March 12. Hayden’s opening paragraph states “there have been concerns raised about Bill 19, the Land Assembly Project Area Act. As a farmer and resident of rural Alberta, I understand what it means to be a land-owner and I want to take this opportunity to set the record straight.” 

Hayden goes on to say that “Bill 19 does not remove any protection land-owners currently have to ensure they receive fair compensation for the acquisition of their land. This legislation ensures land-owners are well informed and treated fairly, while allowing the Alberta government to acquire land for large infrastructure projects that will benefit the whole province.” 

To find out more about Bill 19, visit www.infrastructure.alberta.ca