ROCANVILLE PRDA FOCUSED
In 1996, without informing or consulting with landowners, the Sask-atchewan government put forward regulations under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act (1978), which led to the implementation of a restricted drilling zone surrounding the PCS mine at Rocanville. This zone encompasses nearly 30,000 acres of land and impacts over 188 freeholders.
The inability to lease oil and gas rights has led to a substantial loss of income for freeholders and the community.
PCS and the companies, which leased oil and gas rights in the area prior to 1996, were the only stakeholders government consulted and offered special arrangements. Freeholders failed to receive the same consideration despite the financial loss they would suffer.
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The issue of property rights affects rural and urban people alike. Imagine owning an apartment block and losing the right to lease the apartments without notice or explanation.
Furthermore, consider how you would feel if your tenants had been consulted and were given incentive to locate elsewhere.
The income that came from leasing oil and gas rights was significant and reliable for affected freeholders. Clearly if oil had been discovered, which is likely given the presence of drilling in the surrounding area just outside the zone, the income loss would be even greater.
At the request of the Saskatchewan government, the Rocanville Potash Restricted Drilling Area (PRDA) presented a formal proposal in late 2007 that outlined a number of options.
Since that time, the committee has been forthcoming with information and has periodically met with provincial officials.
We have requested that the Sask-atchewan government negotiate a compensation package that would adequately reflect the financial hardship placed on affected freeholders….
Despite his support for this issue while in opposition, premier Brad Wall has yet to resolve this important issue since his government took office over five years ago….
In the years ahead, this issue will affect many communities throughout our province as the mining and development of our natural resources grows….
Scott Norton,
on behalf of the
Rocanville PRDA Committee,
Rocanville, Sask.
SERIOUS GM DOUBTS
In the May 2 issue of The Western Producer, Lorne Hepworth criticizes opponents of GM alfalfa.
While he accuses these people of making false claims, he is not above making some pretty far-fetched claims himself.
His suggestion that GM alfalfa can be contained simply by harvesting before it blooms is impossible. How can you ensure that every plant will be cut?
…Who would police it? Besides, the company that has the GM alfalfa has stated that the first few years of production will go to increasing the seed supply before release for commercial production.
For an organization that trumpets sound science, this is unbelievable, especially coming from a former Saskatchewan minister of agriculture.
There are no pressing production issues that justify the need to be able to spray alfalfa with glyphosate. The underlying reason for this being pushed forward is the seed company’s desire to gain ever-greater control over the seed supply.
By genetic modification, they can obtain a patent which gives them enormous power. These are the interests that CropLife Canada represents.
The fact that GM crops have been widely adopted by farmers is certainly not scientific evidence of their long-term safety.
As Mr. Hepworth stated, they have only been around since 1996 — 16 years. To say that no one has died from eating this stuff is hardly scientific proof of their safety.…
Another assertion often made is that GM crops will be the salvation of humanity, that it will increase food supply and stave off starvation.
In fact, there is little, if any, evidence that GM has in and of itself contributed anything to increased yields. Yes, it has made production somewhat more convenient, allowing individual producers to be more productive, but there is scant evidence of increase per unit of area. …
If the people and corporations that Mr. Hepworth represents really believe their products are so vital to the survival of humanity, then they should drop their patents and all future ones, and make this technology free for all to use. That would ensure its widest and swiftest adoption….
Only time will tell whether this GM business will help or harm humanity.
Until then, many earnest thinking people have serious doubts and have every right to express them.
Don Voss,
Spiritwood, Sask.
ELECTED SENATE NEEDED
Regardless of the colour of the stripe that one might wear, I believe we still need a Senate.
Before anyone goes ahead to actually make abolishing the Senate a reality, it might be prudent to do some background research and investigate why it was established in the first place.
The Senate was created under the Constitution Act of 1867, primarily to protect regional interests but also to provide what George-Etienne Cartier called a “power of resistance to oppose the democratic element.”
Hence the Senate here, based on the House of Lords concept in England, was explicitly designed to check the actions of (the House of Commons)….
Yes, it is time to make a change, not to abolish the Senate but revamp what Canadians need and must have for protection.
Who or what will take the place of what we are now campaigning to scuttle?
That is the question, and that question needs to be answered….
At one time, the Senate was the inner conscience and a refuge for sober second thought and compassion.
Of late, those principles, sadly, have been put aside and abandoned. The integrity of what was once a respected and moral component of the Parliament of Canada has all but disappeared. Government dominance and some bad apples have resulted in contaminating an honourable place.
The present system of appointing individuals (selected by the prime ministers) has only resulted in stacking the deck….
The authoritative tentacles are intertwined and commands are directed from the majority government in the lower house….
The Red Chamber has fallen from grace, but for the benefit and protection of all Canadians, a phoenix must be reborn with a procedure to implement an elected Senate.
Members would have no political affiliation to adulterate their wisdom and decisions.
Politics only complicates and undermines the obligations and purpose of the Senate’s existence.
John Fefchak,
Virden, Man.
