In the News

Stupid to the Last Drop

February 4, 2008 -- I suggest to everyone that they read a book entitled Stupid To The Last Drop by William Marsden. I do not really like the title because I like to try and keep my thinking balanced but the historical accounting is extremely interesting and as you get into chapters 5 and 6 discussions of the National Petroleum Council that advises the US government shows the incredible task ahead of CAPLA. The president of Enbridge Pipelines, TransCanada Corporation and EnCana are on this council. I guess I want people to understand the influences we are up against and the thinking of North American government and the effort that will be used against CAPLA as we try to protect landowners in the future. We need to protect our safety, our environment, our land, our farms and our families. We are not against this industry but we need to stand up and protect ourselves as this industry and North American governments try to infringe their responsibilities onto our shoulders. 

I guess I want to start talking about CAPLA goals in the future and where I see our interests best directed to get our issues addressed. We also need to understand that we are up against the biggest lobby group in the world and the only way we can influence in the future is on 2 fronts.....we need to get all landowners and the public on side and then secondly considering the lobby we are up against we need substantial funds to support court actions. How are we going to do this?????????

CAPLA will continue to participate in the NEB processes but with no funding for our participation in their new Land Matters Consultation Initiative, they have basically put us in the arena, but with our hands tied and duct tape on any real influence. We have no choice but to go through the motions, but at the same time we must continue to take the actions that we know work. That is organizing, spreading the word about our issues, interventions, speaking at meetings, using the present Board processes in ways they haven't been used in the past, and fund raising for court and constitutional challenges.

As farmers and landowners we have no choice but to protect our land and to be treated fairly. It is about fair compensation, environmental protection, our safety and protection of our rights and in particular our right to farm. 

Landowners discuss pipeline concerns

February 13, 2007 -- Landowners from near and far gathered in Lacombe on Feb. 7 to hear ideas regarding pipeline construction.

David Core, president of the Canadian Alliance of Pipeline Landowners’ Associations (CAPLA) and a former Ontario farmer, is looking to get landowners on board to form a national body.

CAPLA notes that while the National Energy Board (NEB) monitors pipelines running across provincial and international borders, it is lacking in protection of landowners, compensation and maintenance.

According to the CAPLA website, it "has put the NEB on notice that these new regulations do little or nothing to address the problems landowners have experienced and continue to experience under the Pipeline Crossing Regulations."

Some of the concerns Core spoke about were concerns over contamination from corroded pipes which have been abandoned and restrictions on farmers, stopping them from driving their equipment over their own field, where pipes lie.

With all the issues arising over pipelines, Core says people should put a stop to any negotiations and construction until regulations are in place to protect landowners.

Approximately 50 farmers took part in the meeting, which was organized by the Crestomere Landowners Group and the Red Deer Chapter of the Council of Canadians.

Farmers rally for property rights

February 12, 2007 -- An estimated 100 farmers from western New South Wales have taken part in a property rights protest in Sydney.

The Regional Community Survival Group, which is fighting for the right to clear invasive native scrub, joined 50 other community groups and 5,000 people at the rally in Hyde Park yesterday.

Secretary Gabrielle Holmes says the group received overwhelming support from city organizations, which all have issues centered on property rights.

"For too long the State Government and others, the Wilderness Society in particular, have been trying to divide the city from the country and we've talked to so many people who are going through this," she said.

"While it's they're having planning issues, we're having native vegetation issues and it's exactly the same laws come straight in over the top of communities."

She says representatives from each group have decided to join forces to fight for change. 

"To get representatives from each of those organizations together and form a task force and go forward with this property rights issue and really make a concerted effort for all of us to approach the Government and demand recognition of our property rights and the restoration of a fair go and get our property rights back," she said.