By Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone

With Bill 15, the NDP launches assault on private property landowners

Mar 20, 2019 | 9:58 AM

THE NDP’S RECENTLY PROPOSED changes to the Agriculture Land Commission (ALC) continue their disturbing trend of trampling on the individual rights of British Columbians, this time by stripping away those of private property landowners.

Through changes proposed within the Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act (Bill 15), John Horgan and the NDP want to take away the right of landowners to apply directly to the ALC for any exclusion of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), regardless of any changing circumstances pertaining to that landowner’s land. The NDP want to facilitate this change by perversely redefining the word ‘person’ to mean “the Province, a first nation government or a local government, or a prescribed public body.”

Translation: private property landowner, rancher, or farmer — the NDP no longer consider you to be a ‘person’ when it comes to your land if all or a portion of it falls within the ALR. It is one thing to set the bar high with respect to ALR exclusion requests, however it’s outrageous to deny landowners even the right to ask.

Equally concerning, is the NDP also want to silence local voices by eliminating the ALC’s current six regional panels, replacing this with a single Victoria-based commission concentrating all power and decision-making in the provincial capital. Say goodbye to local sensibilities, local knowledge, and local solutions.

Let me be clear, I am supportive of the ALR, as I believe that conserving and strengthening B.C.’s farmland is an important endeavor that requires tough decisions. However, the NDP’s proposed changes merely silence the very people whose voice is critical when making those decisions. The Victoria-centric approach — all too often favoured by the NDP — strips away too much from landowners, as it takes away their right to advocate for their land, their industry and most importantly their families.

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Forcing a landowner to apply through a local government or First Nation for any exclusion application of their ALR land puts these landowners on the sidelines. Imagine requiring any level of government — which is likely unfamiliar with your unique circumstances — to champion your exclusion application. Landowners will simply be stuck in a mess of red tape. It’s offensive to think that if Bill 15 becomes law, a multi-generational farming family, many of whose homes have already been targeted by the NDP, can no longer personally advocate for the land they own, work, and cherish.

And, of course, these changes come on the heels of the NDP’s decision to force workers against their will to join NDP-approved unions in order to work on large public infrastructure projects; the NDP’s decision to declare over 1.6 million British Columbians as speculators unless proven resident; and the NDP’s decision to impose a cap on damages for British Columbians injured in car accidents, including brain injuries, psychological injuries, chronic pain, and partial ligament tears. As John Horgan and the NDP continue to trample on individual rights, it’s with a mix of anxiety and trepidation that British Columbians must be asking themselves: what’s next?