Legislation to change Saskatchewan’s farmland ownership laws could be
introduced within six weeks.
The standing committee on agriculture last week agreed to receive
verbal and written presentations from farm groups and individuals over
four days in late May.
Chair Ron Harper said the committee could make its recommendations to
agriculture minister Clay Serby by the end of May, paving the way for
legislation to be introduced and passed before the legislative sitting
ends.
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federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
Last year the politicians sat through the first week of July.
“It’s in the hands of the opposition,” Harper said, referring to
whether a new law could be passed. “Legislation can move real quickly
if the opposition wishes it to.”
Saskatchewan Party MLA Donna Harpauer, vice-chair of the committee,
said the opposition does not intend to hold it up.
She said her party has introduced a private member’s bill on the issue
every session for the last few years, calling for unrestricted
ownership of Saskatchewan land by Canadian residents.
The current law allows Canadians who are not residents of Saskatchewan
to own no more than 320 acres.
“If there is change recommended and the government introduces
legislation, you will get very little opposition from us,” she said in
an interview.
Harper expects the committee will be able to move quickly to make
recommendations once it has heard from the public.
Those who want to appear before the committee must apply by May 9.
Written submissions will be accepted until May 23.
The committee will sit May 15, 16, 22 and 23 in the mornings and
evenings to hear the presentations. It cannot sit while the regular
afternoon legislative session is under way.
“We’re assuming that will be adequate time,” Harper said. “I think the
committee is open to extending that.”
The committee also decided to hold all the meetings in Regina at the
legislative building to limit costs.
The committee does not yet have a budget, but Harper said the cost of
taking support staff and recording equipment on the road was a factor
in the decision.
He said the cost of advertising the process will be significant, and
the committee will also hire a researcher.
That person will not be from Saskatchewan, he said, to make sure there
is no perception of bias.
Harpauer said the researcher might come from Ontario since that
legislature is not in session right now.
Meanwhile, the committee will receive the final report of the Action
Committee on the Rural Economy on April 29.
The legislature has agreed to adjourn at 5 p.m. that day so all members
can attend the presentation in the assembly that evening.
The standing committee will ask questions of the ACRE members, but will
not comment on whether the ACRE recommendations should be accepted or
not.
“We are simply the tool to receive the report,” Harper said.
