United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney says he is seriously looking at the idea of auctioning off more crown land in Alberta’s north Peace country for farming if he were to become premier.
Following a question and answer period at the Rural Municipalities of Alberta fall convention in Edmonton Nov. 21, Kenney said the idea would allow for more productive farming in the region and help with the province’s deficit.
“It would also be a way to deal with growing the economy, turning unproductive land to productive agriculture land in that region of Alberta,” he told reporters.
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“It would create jobs and diversify the economy.”
Kenney said the idea stems from a previous policy led by former Progressive Conservative Premier Ed Stelmach.
Under the Stelmach government, about 120,000 acres of crown forest land were open for auction. Most of it was bought by farmers to clear and turn into arable agriculture land. About 10,000 to 15,000 acres remain unplowed.
But Kenney could face opposition from the Dene Tha First Nation if he were to proceed with a land sale, said NDP Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips.
She said the First Nation is extremely opposed to the idea and would need to be consulted.
“We have a constitution in this country and rule of law is a real thing, so he has to engage with those folks,” she said. “I suppose if he ever talked to an Indigenous person he would know this.”
Kenney has said previously if elected he would hire people to draft orders in council so cabinet could make quick changes on big issues, like repealing the carbon tax, rather than be bogged down by consultation. He believes how voters respond to his platform, through the election result, will be enough consultation.
The north Peace region is considered a micro climate; productive for agriculture despite having a short growing season.
Phillips said Mackenzie County approached her about two years ago on the crown land situation. She said it asked for consultation and that there are other perspectives to take into consideration, such as that of Indigenous people, mineral-rights holders, forestry needs and grazing leases.
Kenney said he would also look at zero-till incentives, in which zero-till farming can be considered as a method to sequester carbon. It would help offset greenhouse gas emissions, he said.
He said more details on the policy will be outlined during the election campaign. Alberta will have a provincial election sometime next spring.
