ABP report came in the mail!

[farmers_son]

To keep on the thread topic the Grass Routes article begins by pointing out this has been a winter and spring of discontent. And is sure has. The truth of the matter is there are few if any left who want the Stelmach government representing us. It was not that long ago, 2008, that the Stelmach government won its historic and overwhelming election victory. Look what has happened since then. Stelmach abruptly resigned in part over backlash regarding Bill 36 and others. And we are in the middle of an leadership campaign at the same time as there is a campaign to see which is the next party to govern Alberta.

ABP may very well end up taking heat for trying to improve the worst parts of the Land Stewardship Act. You wade into that sewer you may not come out smelling like a rose.

The reality is those Bills are not going to survive the leadership campaign even if ABP did get some of the worst parts improved. Yes the Keith Wilson dog and pony show continues traveling to every small community that has a hall but those events are just about selling Wildrose tickets.

I am amazed to see the disconnect between rural and urban Alberta. Rural Alberta is just not getting it. If you want to push rural Alberta’s buttons just mention property rights. In my opinion we really do not have any property rights to lose, they were all taken years ago, but property rights will still get the farmers to come to a meeting. The urban voter will say their priority is health care and education but when you consider the recent federal election I would say the urban voter voted for jobs. The Harper government was never viewed as a stout defender of health care. In my view only, since I am suggesting the rural vote does not count for anything after years of riding redistribution favouring the cities, then the urban issue which is jobs is the only one that counts. An angry rural Alberta is out with the pitch forks over property rights but that train left the station long ago and the farmers are left standing at an empty rail siding.

The Wildrose has Keith Wilson stirring up rural discontent but does the Wildrose have anything similar going on in the cities?

I really do not know how the urban voter views the Wildrose. If an election were called today the Conservatives would not get many rural votes but I am not sure the urban voter is going to go Wildrose either. After the federal election no one should underestimate a center/left party’s ability to come up through the middle and change the political scene in Alberta.

And then see what you have left for property rights. Give the urban voter a choice between mega projects/mega investments from China or elsewhere that mean more and better paying jobs versus farmers property rights and guess which they will choose.

[ASRG]

I don't think many urbanites are all that happy with the Tory government either.....granted for different reasons. Stelmach is just one man of many who were sitting at the table?
It is kind of sad that the population in the cities can't see beyond their wallet but I think the "economics" of the land grab bills might get them interested? When large industries start talking about leaving the province because power rates will be too high to operate once the power export lines are built, it might get their attention?
Also when they realize the high continual costs of carbon capture (about $3 Billion/year)might make them pause?
Anyway that will be up to the Wildrose to sell that idea....it is their election to lose.
It might surprize you that there is something coming down the pipes that might derail a lot of the property theft? It is the "Crown Letter Patent Grants" and the Crown patents are being used in courts in Ontario today to stop a lot of landowner abuse. I just got off a conference call with the Ontario Landowner association and got the lowdown on this stratedgy. Our group hopes to bring out the president and the expert on the Crown Patents this fall for a public information meeting on how to challenge the various governments on land issues.

[rkaiser]

If ABP spent half as much time trying to help producers with the business of cattle rather than political postioning to keep money flowing into their coffers, there would not be as many disgruntled producers.

[per]

So back to Grass Routes...

"Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) was established in 1969 for the purpose of initiating, supporting and conducting projects and programs to stimulate, increase or improve the production and marketing of beef cattle and beef cattle products."

[wd40]

So have they met their goals.

[grassfarmer]

While I agree with much of your post f_s I can't let this part go unchallenged.

"The reality is those Bills are not going to survive the leadership campaign even if ABP did get some of the worst parts improved. Yes the Keith Wilson dog and pony show continues traveling to every small community that has a hall but those events are just about selling Wildrose tickets."

Falsely inflating the role of ABP while running down the guy who is actually responsible for almost the entire campaign against these Bills is disrespectful to say the least. And I think you are wrong in your assumption that urban vote won't be influenced by the property rights debate. They are all covered by the regional plans too, they mostly own property, many have marriage licenses and all can be equally affected by these pieces of legislation.

[Kathy]

Keith Wilson is a licensed lawyer. Do you think that he would risk his livelihood in a "dog and pony show" just to sell tickets for a political party??!!

FS you're wrong!

Keith will be speaking in Hanna this evening (Wednesday July 27 at 7pm at the Legion Hall on main street) Be there!

I have tried to use the channels of communication with my government, visa my MLA, the Premier's Office, the opposition (so called but really they are MLAs no different than my own, they just happen to belong to a group that doesn't have a majority in this scam)... Maybe pressure has changed some opinions, I don't know... but what I do know... is that when the pedal hits the metal... it WILL TAKE a law suit to alter the course of bad legislation. There may be hope to alter things with a NEW gang in the legislature...if we lose all hope for this, then what do we have...

Keith Wilson is a lawyer and he has been threatened by petty complaints to the board that licenses lawyers...complaints from his own kind who are also members of the leading gang here in Alberta...

Keith is a good man, and I'm sure he wouldn't risk his families future to "sell some tickets" for the Wildrose Party.

Hanna tonight! 7pm Legion Hall

[SADIE]

Kathy---I will re-enforce your comments at this time. I sit here a rancher/farmer in Saskatchewan who saw the whole CAEPLA movement unfold working first as CAPLA dealing with National Energy Board Regulated pipelines on our properties. Been involved in the huge win of organizing the landowners from Hardisty to Maryfield Saskatchewan under the Saskatchewan Association of Pipeline Landowners SAPL who along with Manitoba MPLA won a huge victory for pipeline landowners with the SAPL/MPLA Enbridge Negotiated Settlement. From there the "movement" followed into Alberta with APLA Alberta Pipeline Landowner Association with those landowners coming to negotiated settlement with TransCanada on the Keystone and Keystone XL Pipelines. CAPLA became CAEPLA in Dec 2008. On conference calls that followed Keith Wilson was one of the leading lawyers along with Daryl Carter (Peace River) who talked to CAEPLA group--meaning landowners from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan , B.C. and Alberta. CAEPLA is across Canada. THere is NO I repeat No Wild Rose Party outside the Province of ALberta so the interpretation that Keith WIlson is alligned with the Wild Rose (Alberta) is a backlash from a few within Alberta.

CAEPLA will scrutinize the work of any governement provincial or Federdal is the language appears unfair to the property rights of landowners.

Wish I could be at the meeting in Hanna Kathy.

[farmers_son]

Keith Wilson would not be the first lawyer to be aligned with a political party. All I can offer is my observation and that is what I see. Mr. Wilson is a good lawyer.

Credit goes to many for fighting the good fight re these property rights issues. The WSGA, the surface rights groups including the ASRG and the ASRF. And yes ABP too. And hundreds of individuals.

To summarize what I see as the reasoning behind these Bills. The present Alberta government has a vision of Alberta being a world leader in energy. Alberta is going out to the world, including China (not just China but China is a focus) and marketing Alberta as the place to invest. The Stelmach government is creating a regulatory environment that will ensure no impediments to investment in this province whether that investment is Chinese, American or otherwise. If, for instance, China were to invest $5 billion in Alberta and needs a transmission line they will get it. If China needs a dam they will get it. The same for a major pipeline, a major road or railway, whatever. Statutory consents, leases, permits even free hold land in the way?…if they are a problem for the major investor the PC government will ensure the problem disappears. I am not arguing for or against this and I may be wrong but that it how I see it.

And for those that think the Wildrose is any different check out their web site. The Wildrose has an energy policy, an education policy, health care policy but no ag policy so I think it is pretty clear how important ag really is there. The Wildrose does have a property rights policy (and again it is just my view) but I think they are worried about the energy sector’s property rights first and foremost. (I am trying to be non partisan here, not favouring or singling out any one party).

The other point I was trying to make is the days when agriculture called the shots in this Province are long gone. I have said in this thread there is only one issue and that is jobs. It is not property rights. It is not agriculture or even food. It is jobs. Again I may be wrong but consider CAPPs (Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers) ads on TV and the message there is energy equals jobs. Not property rights. CAPP gets it…farmers still have yet to figure it out.

If there is anything that might come out of my mouthing off here it hopefully is the beginning of some recognition that agriculture desperately needs to change its messaging with government and the public. I mean really. No question property rights are crucial to everyone not just farmers. Property rights are the cornerstone of our free enterprise/free market society. When our property rights are ignored everyone loses. That affects the economy and that affects jobs. That is the message that needs to be heard. I am not hearing Bill 36 or Bill 50 can cost you (the urban people) your job. And that needs to be heard. If you can’t find a way to make that connection between issues that are important to us and the city person’s job then do not be surprised if government does not listen no matter how many small town meetings are held.

Property rights equal a strong economy equals jobs. Farmers equal jobs. Local food equals local jobs. Ag equals jobs. The new bumper sticker needs to be Alberta beef equals jobs. More jobs, better paying jobs, jobs for you, jobs for me. Now you are communicating.

[per]

OK fs, I buy exactly what you are saying and completely agree. Notwithstanding inasmuch as we agree on this, the property rights "movement" needs to keep going. However, we; ABP, WSGA, ASRG, AGLA, CAEPLA could do well to cooperate on that message. "Agriculture Depends on Property and the Ability to do Business on said Property as does the Oil Sector and that translates into Providing Jobs inside and outside every Community." The campaign starts now....