Latest news with #LandsProtectionAct
CBC
25-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
The CBC P.E.I. Political Panel tackles questions over who inspects tourism sites... and much more
From the Lands Protection Act to tourism inspections and the upcoming federal election, the Compass political panel digs in. Host Louise Martin talks to Sally Pitt and Paul MacNeill in the CBC News: Compass studio.
CBC
24-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Proposed changes for non-Islanders buying municipal property facing criticism
Social Sharing A proposed change to how non-residents would be allowed to buy property on Prince Edward Island is raising concerns about the consequences it could have on municipalities. P.E.I.'s Department of Housing, Land and Communities is proposing an amendment to the Lands Protection Act, a unique piece of legislation that includes limitations on non-resident and corporate land ownership in the province. The change would lead to people who are not Island residents needing cabinet approval to buy properties of one acre or less that are located within municipalities with an official plan. According to the province, the amendment is meant to create more transparency and oversight over who owns land on the 1.4 million-acre Island. The Federation of P.E.I. Municipalities worries about the repercussions, though. "I understand the government's rationale behind bringing this legislation. Land protection is important," said Satya Sen, the federation's executive director. "But there could be unintended consequences by introducing this legislation." The proposed amendment says that if someone who doesn't yet own property on P.E.I. wants to buy a house on a plot measuring under one acre — and that house is in a municipality with an official plan — the person will need cabinet approval. But if the desired property is outside a municipality with a plan, cabinet approval would not be required to buy land of five acres or less. Sen is concerned that the "bureaucratic red tape" will result in people preferring to buy properties outside municipal boundaries, and that could lead to sprawl in areas that don't have the infrastructure to support it. "Municipalities are best positioned to manage growth and welcome people, new residents, new Islanders," he said. "Is the cabinet ready to approve all the applications, even for a single lot in Charlottetown brought by an incoming doctor or a nurse from a different province? I don't think that's the role of cabinet in this regard." WATCH | Satya Sen thinks more amalgamation could be the solution for municipal funding crunches on P.E.I.: Is more amalgamation the solution for municipal funding crunches on P.E.I.? Some say maybe... 21 days ago Duration 6:52 The idea of municipal amalgamation in Prince Edward Island can be a contentious topic, with lots of local pride on the line. But the Federation of P.E.I. Municipalities says it could be a longer-term fix for funding. Satya Sen, the federation's executive director, talks to CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin. 'Not the end of the conversation' The P.E.I. Real Estate Association has problems with it too. In a letter to the province, the association raised concerns ranging from the potential negative impact on immigration to how the move could hurt local homeowners who are trying to sell their houses. "The negative impacts listed above greatly outweigh any potential positives," the letter said. In the context of a housing crisis, policies that further limit access to housing — whether by reducing demand or investor participation — only exacerbate affordability issues. "In the context of a housing crisis, policies that further limit access to housing — whether by reducing demand or investor participation — only exacerbate affordability issues." Land use across P.E.I. has been a topic of discussion for decades. In February, the province said changes to the Lands Protection Act would be tabled "to enhance oversight of land holdings for non-residents." That announcement came the same day that Land Minister Steven Myers said he had ordered a new investigation into Buddhist land holdings in the province. WATCH | How much land do Buddhist groups on P.E.I. control? Here's why it's hard to come up with a number: How much land do Buddhist groups on P.E.I. control? Here's why it's hard to come up with a number 2 months ago Duration 3:10 It's a direct question... but also an indirect question: How much land do two Buddhist organizations in the province control? The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission is diving into the mystery after the province recently ordered a review. CBC's Kerry Campbell, who has spent years covering the ins and outs of the province's Lands Protection Act, takes a look at the numbers that are publicly available so far. Boyd Allen with the Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Lands said he is pleased to see that updating the act is on the government's radar. Still, he doesn't understand why this is the priority rather than the concept of beneficial ownership. That's a mechanism under the act to try to determine whether large land owners might control land under different names or corporations, and thus be able to skirt land ownership limits. "If you're going to look at the Land Protection Act and put it under the microscope and make amendments to it, then you have to look at other items which have been, up to this point, not addressed," Allen said. Allen also has concerns about the public engagement process and wonders if this will be the model for future amendments. "It's a frustration because it was announced on a Friday afternoon and attached to it was a two-week comment window, which ended on Good Friday," he said. There was no guarantee that what was being said was being noted or listened to or considered. "There wasn't much opportunity for those concerned about this to actually speak to it. And given the structure, there was no guarantee that what was being said was being noted or listened to or considered." Sen agrees that this proposal requires more discussion and said he would also like additional details. For example, he's not sure what it means for municipal properties measuring between one and five acres. "You can protect the land while not being protectionist about it," he said. "If the government [wants] to have more consultation on this legislation before it is tabled, that would be great. If not, I understand the government's position on this. However, this is not the end of the conversation." Province reviewing submissions The province said Myers won't speak to the proposal until it gets tabled in the legislature. It also said provincial staff are reviewing the submissions from the consultations and may make changes based on the feedback before tabling the bill. P.E.I.'s Lands Protection Act came into effect in 1982, in part as a response to concerns about ownership of the province's limited land base being concentrated under large corporations including those controlled by the Irving family in New Brunswick. The act requires non-residents and corporations to seek cabinet approval if a land purchase would push their total land holdings beyond five acres, or if it includes 165 feet of shorefront. The act also includes overall limits on land ownership of 1,000 acres per individual and 3,000 acres for corporations, with additional allowances for things like non-arable land or land leased out to someone else.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
P.E.I. government moving too fast on easing interprovincial trade restrictions, say opposition parties
Opposition parties on P.E.I. are urging caution when it comes to the Progressive Conservatives' proposed bill to eliminate trade barriers between provinces. Debate began Tuesday in the legislature on the Interprovincial Trade and Mobility Act, introduced last Friday by Premier Rob Lantz. The bill would ease the flow of goods to and from other provinces with similar legislation, and make it easier for workers in some regulated professions to find employment on the Island. Lantz has said he wants to get the act through the legislature as fast as possible, but the Liberals and Greens argued that the government is moving too quickly to be able to figure out which trade barriers it should keep. WATCH | Bees, oysters and farm machinery raised as P.E.I. politicians debate new bill on trade barriers: "If we were the last [province] to come forward, they'd be criticizing us … but we're showing leadership by coming forward," Lantz said during question period. "It's a priority in this country. Canadians want to see us dropping interprovincial trade barriers." Nova Scotia became the first province to enact this type of legislation back in February in an effort to boost the economy after U.S. President Donald Trump signalled he wanted to launch a trade war with numerous countries, including Canada. Prince Edward Island is currently the only other province to propose a reciprocal bill. The idea is that every province that passes similar laws would recognize the others' standards, regulations and accreditations. There are some important exceptions in the P.E.I. bill — regulated health professions and lawyers would not fall under the act. The opposition parties pointed out Tuesday that Nova Scotia's legislation had to be significantly amended after groups representing veterinarians and other professional associations said they would lose any ability to regulate or even track who was practising in that province. There can be more carve-outs for other professions in P.E.I.'s bill, but it's not yet clear what those would be. 'Runs a risk' There was also concern Tuesday that the legislation would supersede all other laws, including P.E.I.'s Lands Protection Act, which limits non-residential land ownership in the province. Green MLA Matt MacFarlane says it's risky to move so quickly to enact legislation that supersedes all other laws on P.E.I. (CBC) Green Party MLA Matt MacFarlane took issue with the first line of the act, which reads that its purpose is to "remove barriers to trade in goods, services and investment between the province and other jurisdictions within Canada." The Greens tried to get the word "investment" removed from the bill. "Copying from Nova Scotia's legislation and bringing it in here without looking at our unique … laws in this province, I think that runs a risk, and I think the risk is if we move too quickly through this review," MacFarlane premier actually agreed with the Greens' motion, saying he didn't believe removing the term would alter the bill's purpose. "We don't feel like the inclusion of that word provides … any undue risk," Lantz said. "We had no objection to deleting it because it doesn't substantially change the intent of the bill." The amendment seemed to catch the PCs off guard — the premier and Finance Minister Jill Burridge voted with the opposition, but the rest of the PCs defeated it, so "investment" remains in the bill. Lantz hopes the act will be ready for July 1 to align with Prime Minister Mark Carney's pledge to have "free trade by Canada Day."
CBC
16-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
P.E.I. premier says he would use notwithstanding clause to secure Lands Protection Act
Social Sharing Premier Rob Lantz says he will do whatever it takes to protect P.E.I.'s Lands Protection Act amid concerns about how that legislation would be affected by the governing Progressive Conservatives' proposed bill to eliminate trade barriers between provinces. "I will never compromise our Lands Protection Act," Lantz said Wednesday in the legislature, as PC MLAs applauded loudly. "I would go so far as using the notwithstanding clause to protect our Lands Protection Act here on Prince Edward Island." Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms — known as the notwithstanding clause — allows for premiers or prime ministers to override rulings on legislation that judges have determined would violate sections of the Charter for a five-year period. The clause can only override certain sections of the Charter — including Section 2 and sections 7 to 15, which deal with fundamental freedoms, legal rights and equality rights — but can't be used to override democratic rights. 'Critically important' The PC government's proposed interprovincial trade bill introduced last Friday, would ease the flow of goods to and from other provinces that enact similar legislation, and make it easier for workers in some regulated professions to find employment on the Island. The opposition parties are concerned the legislation would supersede all other laws, including the Lands Protection Act, which limits non-residential land ownership in the province. Green MLA Matt MacFarlane said Wednesday that the lands act is "one of our most unique and important pieces of legislation," adding that it is up to the PC government to ensure nothing is removed from the "critically important protections on land." He noted that Erin McGrath-Gaudet, the province's deputy minister of intergovernmental affairs, said on the floor of the legislature Tuesday that she was only reasonably confident that the Interprovincial Trade and Mobility Act would not negatively impact land protections. "Islanders expect the premier to ensure, without a shadow of a doubt, that our land protection laws are going to be secure," MacFarlane said. When asked whether he would commit to reviewing the interprovinical trade bill to guarantee that no part of it can override or weaken P.E.I.'s land protection laws, Lantz said he is committed to doing so. Federal free trade Prime Minister Mark Carney said last month that he's committed to removing all federal exemptions under the Canada Free Trade Agreement by July 1. MacFarlane asked Lantz whether he is willing to gamble the protection of Island land to be first out of the gate when it comes to removing trade barriers between provinces. "I have heard the federal government — the prime minister and the trade minister — commit to removing federal exemptions from the Canada Free Trade Agreement. I have heard provincial premiers talk about removing all of their party-specific exemptions from the Canada Free Trade Agreement. You haven't heard me say that," Lantz said.
CBC
16-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
P.E.I. government moving too fast on easing interprovincial trade restrictions, say opposition parties
Social Sharing Opposition parties on P.E.I. are urging caution when it comes to the Progressive Conservatives' proposed bill to eliminate trade barriers between provinces. Debate began Tuesday in the legislature on the Interprovincial Trade and Mobility Act, introduced last Friday by Premier Rob Lantz. The bill would ease the flow of goods to and from other provinces with similar legislation, and make it easier for workers in some regulated professions to find employment on the Island. Lantz has said he wants to get the act through the legislature as fast as possible, but the Liberals and Greens argued that the government is moving too quickly to be able to figure out which trade barriers it should keep. WATCH | Bees, oysters and farm machinery raised as P.E.I. politicians debate new bill on trade barriers: Bees, oysters and farm machinery raised as P.E.I. politicians debate new bill on trade barriers 3 hours ago Duration 3:17 Debate has begun in the P.E.I. Legislative Assembly on the government's bill to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers. Premier Rob Lantz and his Progressive Conservative MLAs want to pass the law as quickly as possible, given what's going on with U.S. tariffs aimed at Canada, but the opposition parties say some caution is required. CBC's Kerry Campbell has the story. "If we were the last [province] to come forward, they'd be criticizing us … but we're showing leadership by coming forward," Lantz said during question period. "It's a priority in this country. Canadians want to see us dropping interprovincial trade barriers." Nova Scotia became the first province to enact this type of legislation back in February in an effort to boost the economy after U.S. President Donald Trump signalled he wanted to launch a trade war with numerous countries, including Canada. Prince Edward Island is currently the only other province to propose a reciprocal bill. The idea is that every province that passes similar laws would recognize the others' standards, regulations and accreditations. There are some important exceptions in the P.E.I. bill — regulated health professions and lawyers would not fall under the act. The opposition parties pointed out Tuesday that Nova Scotia's legislation had to be significantly amended after groups representing veterinarians and other professional associations said they would lose any ability to regulate or even track who was practising in that province. There can be more carve-outs for other professions in P.E.I.'s bill, but it's not yet clear what those would be. 'Runs a risk' There was also concern Tuesday that the legislation would supersede all other laws, including P.E.I.'s Lands Protection Act, which limits non-residential land ownership in the province. Green Party MLA Matt MacFarlane took issue with the first line of the act, which reads that its purpose is to "remove barriers to trade in goods, services and investment between the province and other jurisdictions within Canada." The Greens tried to get the word "investment" removed from the bill. "Copying from Nova Scotia's legislation and bringing it in here without looking at our unique … laws in this province, I think that runs a risk, and I think the risk is if we move too quickly through this review," MacFarlane said. WATCH | What are interprovincial trade barriers, and are they all bad? CBC explains: What are interprovincial trade barriers, and are they all bad? CBC explains 15 days ago Duration 5:20 Donald Trump's tariffs aren't the only road blocks facing Canadian businesses. Interprovincial trade barriers are a big factor in many industries. But whether they're a bad thing depends on who you ask. The CBC's Malone Mullin explains. The premier actually agreed with the Greens' motion, saying he didn't believe removing the term would alter the bill's purpose. "We don't feel like the inclusion of that word provides … any undue risk," Lantz said. "We had no objection to deleting it because it doesn't substantially change the intent of the bill." The amendment seemed to catch the PCs off guard — the premier and Finance Minister Jill Burridge voted with the opposition, but the rest of the PCs defeated it, so "investment" remains in the bill. Lantz hopes the act will be ready for July 1 to align with Prime Minister Mark Carney's pledge to have " free trade by Canada Day."
