Hi folks,
Since we had a good dicussion on Bill 19 some time ago... I thought this update I got from my MLA would be of Interest:
"Alberta government amends Bill 19 to provide greater certainty for landowners
Amendments to Bill 19, the Land Assembly Project Area Act, will provide additional clarity and reassurance that landowners will be treated fairly when government acquires land for future large-scale infrastructure projects, such as transportation utility corridors or projects related to the conservation or management of water.
Under the amendments, enhancements to the proposed legislation include:
• Clear definition of applicable projects: Bill 19 can only be used to acquire land for transportation utility corridors or projects related to the conservation or management of water.
• Immediate implementation of a land-buying program: Once a project area is approved, government will be obligated to enter into negotiations to purchase land at the owner’s request. If the two parties cannot agree on a negotiated purchase price, the landowner has the option to ask an independent third party to determine the price.
• Time limits on the decision-making process: Government has two years to complete the formal consultation process and to decide whether to approve a proposed project area. This, along with government’s commitment to begin its buying program as soon as a project area is approved, reduces the period of uncertainty for landowners.
Other amendments to the legislation will place greater emphasis on the mandatory consultation provisions in the Act. Section 13 will also be eliminated to clarify that all rights of landowners outlined in the Expropriation Act will apply, if expropriation of land is required.
Bill 19 does not provide government with any additional land acquisition powers or remove any legislative protection landowners currently have to ensure they receive a fair price for their land. The legislation improves the process that was used to assemble land for the Calgary and Edmonton ring roads by making advance consultation with Albertans mandatory before a project area can be considered for approval.
To view the amendments and for more information about Bill 19, visit www.infrastructure.alberta.ca."
Since we had a good dicussion on Bill 19 some time ago... I thought this update I got from my MLA would be of Interest:
"Alberta government amends Bill 19 to provide greater certainty for landowners
Amendments to Bill 19, the Land Assembly Project Area Act, will provide additional clarity and reassurance that landowners will be treated fairly when government acquires land for future large-scale infrastructure projects, such as transportation utility corridors or projects related to the conservation or management of water.
Under the amendments, enhancements to the proposed legislation include:
• Clear definition of applicable projects: Bill 19 can only be used to acquire land for transportation utility corridors or projects related to the conservation or management of water.
• Immediate implementation of a land-buying program: Once a project area is approved, government will be obligated to enter into negotiations to purchase land at the owner’s request. If the two parties cannot agree on a negotiated purchase price, the landowner has the option to ask an independent third party to determine the price.
• Time limits on the decision-making process: Government has two years to complete the formal consultation process and to decide whether to approve a proposed project area. This, along with government’s commitment to begin its buying program as soon as a project area is approved, reduces the period of uncertainty for landowners.
Other amendments to the legislation will place greater emphasis on the mandatory consultation provisions in the Act. Section 13 will also be eliminated to clarify that all rights of landowners outlined in the Expropriation Act will apply, if expropriation of land is required.
Bill 19 does not provide government with any additional land acquisition powers or remove any legislative protection landowners currently have to ensure they receive a fair price for their land. The legislation improves the process that was used to assemble land for the Calgary and Edmonton ring roads by making advance consultation with Albertans mandatory before a project area can be considered for approval.
To view the amendments and for more information about Bill 19, visit www.infrastructure.alberta.ca."