On March 7, Minister and MLA for this riding Ray Danyluk did what no other Alberta MLA has ever done by attending an information meeting put on by agricultural lawyer Keith Wilson.
It happened on Wilson's 27th giving of a presentation he has delivered across the province on three legislative acts he says gives the cabinet more control than they have ever had. It is a distinction the Honourable Minister should cherish, and we are thrilled that it was the St. Paul – Lac La Biche – Two Hills constituency that it happened in.
At previous presentations in Ardmore and Elk Point, Wilson made light of the absence of the government, asking attendees to explain what he was telling them to their MLA. MLAs just didn't seem able to understand or were not interested in listening, according to Wilson.
Danyluk may have been the first MLA, with one of the top portfolios in the province, to attend a meeting, but a private meeting held between SRD Minister Mel Knight and Wilson preceded Danyluk's appearance, held at the request of Knight. The government has suddenly decided to listen. This is a positive sign.
However, as Danyluk showed the 200 plus in attendance at the seniors centre last week, the Progressive Conservative government continues to steadfastly defend the legislation of former Bills 19, 36, and 50. The amendments to the Land Stewardship Act, they say, will clarify the “intent" of the act.
At last Monday's meeting, the back and forth between Danyluk and Wilson brought out the opposing views - perhaps the first chance for the two views to be aired freely in front of a large room packed with landowners. Danyluk certainly had his work cut out for him, but he stood his ground, as did Wilson, leaving those in attendance with the responsibility to make their own minds up on the matter and to find the information they need to make a responsible decision.
At the very least, we can safely say opposition to the acts is not going away anytime soon.
We welcome the debate, especially Danyluk's being the first MLA to try to take on a guy that's had a free run for 27 meetings over the last year. However, the value of the debate aside, problems in the Land Stewardship Act, Land Assembly Project Area Act and the Electric Statutes Amendment Act remain unresolved.
The government needs to draft amendments for former Bill 19, and should seriously consider the advice of major industry groups, employers and landowners on former Bill 50.
