Government must exercise its authority on land transactions

The National Farmers Union (NFU), like many other Islanders, is still in shock after seeing the Irving family name on yet another land transfer. Rebecca Irving, the young daughter of Mary Jean Irving, was able to put more P.E.I. land under the Irving name. No one would dare suggest that Ms. Irving’s newly crafted corporation, Red Fox Acres, is connected to Irving corporate empire.

In P.E.I., people have become accustomed to silence about how the Irving family has gained such wide ranging control. Some people are even afraid to speak out. That is understandable. However, what is not understandable and very disheartening to watch is the apparent powerlessness of the P.E.I. government to exercise its authority in the face of corporate power.

The NFU has emphasized the need to place emphasis on enforcing the “protection” aspect of the Lands Protection Act — for example, its spirit and intent. The loopholes in the act have served the interests of the Irvings and others in the corporate sector. We have also warned about the lack of transparency in the MacLauchlan government’s Business Corporation Act. This act received unanimous support from all MLAs in June 2018.

It is significant that when the Irving corporations, in their varied combinations, were no longer allowed to use the Lands Protection Act loophole, they found an open door in some provisions of the Business Corporation Act. The 2,200 acres to which they wanted titled ownership suddenly became the property of a newly formed corporation. Then an Irving family member, under the Business Corporation Act, was able to buy this new corporation and its assets — the 2,200 acres. All legal, they say.

Governments of the past did not display a simple deficiency of political will to protect the resources and life sources of P.E.I. Rather, what they have displayed is a distorted political will to openly serve the interests of corporations. Do they think that the people do not see this? It is common to hear people say that it is corporations which run P.E.I., not government.

It is our belief that any government which lurks behind the veil of powerlessness is unworthy to govern. This is an opportunity for a new government to take a different path to protect the Island –— its land and water, and its people. Our message to the current P.E.I. government is that you have the authority to make legislation. Now use it. You have the authority to replace any legislation or articles of legislation to protect the interests of Islanders. Now do it. You have the authority to declare null and void the latest Irving acquisition (and maybe some former ones). Now do it.

The NFU would like to see the Honourable Bloyce Thompson take a stronger stand against the latest Irving acquisition. He is not only the minister responsible for agriculture and lands, but also as attorney general, he is the overseer of all legislation. Minister Thompson must be seen to take control of the situation.

The same goes for Premier King, who in the fever of the election campaign, vowed to make open and transparent the workings of the Business Corporation Act and its regulations.

Open and transparent government was his pledge to Island voters. We are still waiting to see the openness and transparency.