MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Saskatchewan cattle producers who lease crown land want to make sure modernizing the Provincial Lands Act doesn’t affect the way they raise cattle.
The government has announced it intends to update the act, which was last amended in 1978. It is holding meetings next month and accepting comments until July 26.
Resolutions passed at the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association annual meeting June 11 called for the retention of 33-year renewable leases and maintenance of the lessees’ right to control access.
Orin Balas, a former SSGA president from Ponteix who worked on land use issues, said he is concerned that lease terms could be limited. Some have suggested that patrons of former federal pastures will see leases of only 15 years.
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“That gives me a little bit of concern,” he told the meeting.
“They have to be renewable for the viability of the ranches that have been built up.”
Long-term leases are critical for drought management, he added.
Balas also said it is important to keep control over access.
“In the current act there is a provision that gives lessees the right to control trespass,” Balas said.
Wally Hoehn, executive director of Saskatchewan Agriculture’s land branch, said he doesn’t expect the update to disrupt ranch operations.
He said the primary intent of updating the act is to make it clearer.
“There are sections of the act that probably date back to the 1930s and as far back as the natural resources transfer agreement from 1930,” he said.
“The language in there and the clauses mirror what would have been going on at that time.”
One clause that is likely to go allows the government to jail someone for not attending a meeting.
The agriculture ministry is responsible for 6.9 million acres of crown land, while environment is responsible for 93.2 million acres.
Consultation meetings will be held July 8 in Regina, July 10 in Prince Albert and July 11 in Saskatoon. Each day will include separate meetings with First Nations and Metis people, followed by a public session.
The government hopes to introduce draft legislation this fall. A discussion paper can be found at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/PLA.
A related resolution from the stock growers meeting asked the government to allow producers and lenders to use the value of crown grazing leases for security purposes. It was tabled.
Ryan Beierbach of Whitewood said it’s important for Saskatchewan producers to be competitive with their Alberta counterparts.
Glen Snyder, agricultural manager for Bank of Montreal, said using grazing leases as security works well in Alberta for producers and lenders.
