By Douglas Campbell

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is praising the Three Rivers Municipal Council for its care in dealing with issues relating to the Buddhist communities in the region. The Council voted to refuse a permit to Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (Buddhist Nuns) for the building of a residence in Brudenell, eventually to be expanded to hold over 1000 nuns. It was clear that the center of concern for many participants in the Council meeting was greater than the building permit. There has been, however, a growing anxiety in the surrounding area and in other parts of PEI about what looks like unregulated land accumulation. The people at the Council meeting seemed to be intent on looking into what has the appearance of a hodge-podge of land acquisitions.

For people who may not be aware, the Lands Protection Act was put in place in 1982 by the then Progressive Conservative government of Angus MacLean. It was, and continues to be, a forward thinking piece of legislation with spirit and intent and laws to ensure that bonafide Islander residents retain the right to the ownership and use of their land. It was also to protect Island farmers from direct competition by processors. The act is entrenched in the Canadian Constitution. While Island land has always been a target of outside interests with deep pockets, the NFU believes the Act is more relevant than ever now as the world wide land grab escalates. Continue reading →