The Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Lands is looking at possible solutions to address the present state of land ownership and use in this province.
Originating from a proposal at the Cooper Institute Symposium on the Lands Protection Act in early March, 17 people have been meeting regularly. The members of the coalition are farmers and farm organizations, environmentalists, watershed groups and individuals and groups concerned with social justice, food sovereignty and democracy.
The immediate goal of the coalition is to ensure that the P.E.I. Lands Protection Act is strengthened in order that the accumulation of land by corporate interests is stopped.
The group’s research has shown that current patterns of implementation and administration of the act are undermining its purpose, spirit and intent.
The coalition also sees that the continuing trend of concentrating large acreages in the hands of a few corporate interests is a major problem for P.E.I.
This accumulation is consistent with the demands of the industrial model of food production, the goal of which seems to be profit, regardless of the damage to ecology, land, water and family farms.
The coalition supports the family farm model of food production and will advocate for prosperity for Island farm families and new farmers.
“Easy and affordable access to prime/decent farmland is vital for new and young farmers,” said coalition member and new farmer Byron Petrie. “If this really is the food island, and would like to remain so, then we need farmland to remain in the hands of many and not controlled by two or three corporations.”
At a glance
WHAT: The Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Lands
PURPOSE AND GOALS: “Our shared interest is the stewardship of P.E.I. lands and the protection of Prince Edward Island’s ecology and environment”.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: “To promote steadfast stewardship, respecting the spirit of the P.E.I. Lands Protection Act, for the protection of P.E.I.’s fragile ecology, environment, watersheds and lands”.
