The province has withdrawn the listings for 18 parcels of publicly owned land that were up for auction, as it opted to prolong a halt on Crown land sales. This decision came after discussions on CBC Radio’s Blue Sky program on Monday, where critics objected to the ongoing sales. The listings were removed by Tuesday, and a government representative contacted CBC to confirm the suspension of sales.
According to an emailed statement, the Ministry of Agriculture will explore alternative approaches to managing vacant Crown land, such as leasing suitable parcels and offering short-term permits. The NDP Opposition’s environment critic criticized the resumption of sales, pointing out that significant amounts of Crown land have been sold in recent years for substantial revenue.
Agriculture Minister Darryl Harrison was unavailable for comment on Monday regarding Crown land sales. Premier Scott Moe acknowledged the need to extend the pause on sales during a previous press conference. The motive behind selling Crown land instead of leasing it for long-term benefits may be linked to the province’s high debt and projected deficit.
Treaty Commissioner Kathy Walker highlighted the importance of unoccupied Crown land for supporting First Nations’ connection to the land and their livelihoods. She mentioned barriers faced by First Nations when attempting to purchase unoccupied Crown land due to historical land values and third-party interests.
Michael Gertler, a member of the National Farmers Union, expressed concerns about the sale of Crown lands leading to land ownership concentration and unsustainable rural development. Naturalist Trevor Herriot emphasized the ecological significance of preserving natural areas on Crown land to protect wildlife habitats and mitigate habitat destruction caused by land conversion.
Critics like Gertler and Herriot raised doubts about the effectiveness of conservation easements in preventing ecological harm on sold Crown land. They highlighted the potential challenges in enforcing these easements and ensuring the protection of natural habitats amid land sales.