A property rights institute has opened in Calgary to explore issues ranging from a farmer’s right to sell grain into any market, to the effects the endangered species act may have on ranchers.
The Canadian Property Rights Research Institute opened May 20 and is led by a board of directors representing agriculture, real estate, energy and insurance companies.
One of the first areas of research is the endangered species act which died on the order paper when the June 2 federal election was called.
A study will be commissioned to examine the American endangered species act, how it affected landowners there and how it might reflect on the Canadian situation.
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A conference is being organized later this year to talk about cases where property rights have been infringed, said manager Danielle Smith.
“A lot of issues have to do with the environment and how property rights can be used for the proper stewardship of resources and the protection of environmental quality, and how there are common law remedies to allow for compensation if a person’s property rights are violated.”
Smith said property issues have a broad application in business.
“Whether you are not allowing farmers to sell their wheat across the border or you’re imposing an endangered species act on ranchers or you’re taking the grazing on crown land, it’s the same issue.”
The institute focuses on research rather than lobbying government for change.
The idea for the institute came from the Western Stock Growers Association, which has protection of property rights as a driving force. The association rallied other groups from real estate, energy and insurance to join the institute.
Another job for the institute is to educate the public about the lack of safeguards for protection of property in Canada, said Smith.
