An estimated 300 people attended an information meeting by agricultural lawyer Keith Wilson at the St. Paul Rec. Centre on Wednesday evening. Wilson is the policy chair of the Alberta Landowners Council.
With a provincial election nearing and no changes to legislation he says endangers the future of Alberta, Wilson asked attendees to not the support the Progressive Conservatives.
“The only choice that the premier has left them is to vote the government out of office," Wilson said, before the meeting.
At the end of the meeting, the Landowners Council gave away 120 of signs saying “Property Rights Yes! PC Bills 24 – 36 – 50 NO! Vote Responsibly." The sign shows the image of a red circle around a crossed out “PC."
After the presentation, a man from the audience asked if bureaucrats were “leading the charge" on the land use laws.
“I believe this idea emanated from the bureaucracy. It's a bureaucrat's dream," responded Wilson. “I think there's some of the politicians that know exactly what this does and believe it's a good idea, and I think there's a whole bunch of the other ones that don't get it and they completely rely on the bureaucrats' help."
With Bill 50, the province will pay for four unnecessary transmission lines at a cost of $16.7 billion, causing power bills to further increase, he said. The Industrial Power Consumers Association of Alberta has spoken out against the Bill 50 lines.
“They're livid about the Bill 50 lines," said Wilson. The high power prices will drive industry out of the province, he said.
One audience member asked if Bill 50 lines will pad the pockets of the government's friends. Wilson said regardless of the motive, he's worried about consequences like higher power bills.
Another questioner asked if Bill 50 will affect small businesses. “Absolutely," said Wilson. The laws will push out sectors that are not oil and gas and create a “monolithic economy," he said, adding the laws increase red tape.
For full story, see the Journal on Tuesday.
