For those interested, I offer a few of my observations from the Medicine Hat meeting.
There was a very good turnout of about 150 people, almost all of whom were there on their own time and own dime.
Keith Wilson was there via Skype which was different (OK). His message was that Bill 2 gives oil companies more power and landholders less in negotiating surface leases. The meeting passed a resolution opposing the bill.
Bill Newton representing the Western Stockgrowers gave a presentation about the land bills. Bill thinks that most of the power grabbing aspects of the bills are still in them. For example the regional land use plans are still enacted by cabinet not the legislature. His advice is to make good use of the property rights advocate.
Dan Smith from the GOA (gov't of Alberta) rangelands management branch and his assistant Kathy gave a short presentation about their work. There are some current challenges since SRD (sustainable resource development) branch has been amalgamated with environment. Apparently some pretty divergent priorities in the 2 groups. AGLA can't understand why public lands under agricultural disposition are not overseen by Alberta Agriculture.
Overall a pretty mild gathering. Lots of storm clouds on the horizon but no hail at the moment. Larry Sears and the rest of the executive were returned. I got a kick out of the financial report. Somehow the newsletter and meeting expenses for last year weren't paid by year end so the only expenses for the year were $99 bank S/C!! You don't see that everyday. BTW we have a website which is abgla.ca . All the best. EC
There was a very good turnout of about 150 people, almost all of whom were there on their own time and own dime.
Keith Wilson was there via Skype which was different (OK). His message was that Bill 2 gives oil companies more power and landholders less in negotiating surface leases. The meeting passed a resolution opposing the bill.
Bill Newton representing the Western Stockgrowers gave a presentation about the land bills. Bill thinks that most of the power grabbing aspects of the bills are still in them. For example the regional land use plans are still enacted by cabinet not the legislature. His advice is to make good use of the property rights advocate.
Dan Smith from the GOA (gov't of Alberta) rangelands management branch and his assistant Kathy gave a short presentation about their work. There are some current challenges since SRD (sustainable resource development) branch has been amalgamated with environment. Apparently some pretty divergent priorities in the 2 groups. AGLA can't understand why public lands under agricultural disposition are not overseen by Alberta Agriculture.
Overall a pretty mild gathering. Lots of storm clouds on the horizon but no hail at the moment. Larry Sears and the rest of the executive were returned. I got a kick out of the financial report. Somehow the newsletter and meeting expenses for last year weren't paid by year end so the only expenses for the year were $99 bank S/C!! You don't see that everyday. BTW we have a website which is abgla.ca . All the best. EC
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