20 corporations with ties to Irvings own more than 12,000 acres on P.E.I.
Province has a unique law to limit land ownership, but how that’s enforced is murky
Four years ago, the P.E.I. government said it had ordered a corporation owned by a member of the Irving family, Red Fox Acres, to get rid of some of its land because of a contravention of P.E.I.'s Lands Protection Act.
It was only the second time the province had ordered a divestiture of land under the act, which came into effect in 1982. The first time, it was also the Irving family that was ordered to give up land.
Two years ago, the government said the Irvings were now in compliance with the act, even though land title records show the same corporation still owns the land in question today.
No information was shared with the public to explain what changed, or just how the Irving family had come into compliance with the act. In the legislature, the Green Party suggested the company had leased the land to another Irving-controlled corporation.
And this is largely how enforcement of this unique piece of legislation has gone, over the 42 years since the act was enacted: with no way for the public to scrutinize how corporations, the provincial regulator, or even the provincial cabinet is following the law.
"Governments… both Liberal and Conservative, have turned a blind eye to the Lands Protection Act. They haven't enforced it," said James Rodd, a former leader of the Island New Democratic Party and a founding member of the Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Land. That's a grassroots organization that sprang up around what has become a contentious issue in the province.
In October 2020, CBC News filed a freedom of information request with then-minister of land Bloyce Thompson's department for a copy of the investigative report that Thompson had ordered and received from the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission into the Brendel Farms land acquisition.
Even though the privacy commissioner ruled in January 2021 that the report could be released, it still hasn't been.
In the meantime, Rebecca Irving and Red Fox Acres had filed two court applications for a judicial review in November 2020, asking the P.E.I. court system to "nullify" the minister's decision to order the land divested.
That judicial review has never gone forward. While it's still listed as an active file in court records, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice told CBC News in September: "The province does consider this matter closed as the parties achieved compliance with the Lands Protection Act prior to advancing to the official review."
Companies tied to Irvings own 12,600 acres
P.E.I. is the only province in Canada that places legal limits on how much land individuals or corporations can own.
CBC News used provincial land records to calculate how much land is owned by companies with ties to the Irving family in New Brunswick.
It totals more than 12,600 acres, representing just under one per cent of the province's total land area.
That amount is much higher than the limit for any single corporation under the Lands Protection Act of 3,000 acres — even taking into account exemptions for non-arable land or land leased out to someone else.
None of this is to say that any single Irving-controlled corporation violates the law.
The Lands Protection Act does have provisions to prevent multiple corporations under the same control from owning more than the amount of land allowed for a single corporation. But the public is not allowed to see how those provisions are applied, or whether cabinet chooses to overrule decisions made by the province's land regulator, the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission.
LISTEN | Why do the Irvings own so much land on P.E.I.?
J.D. Irving says it is fully compliant
CBC News reached out to a number of corporations with ties to the Irving Group of Companies for this story, including Cavendish Farms, Irving Oil Ltd., J.D. Irving Ltd., Irving Shipbuilding Inc., Indian River Farms Ltd. and Master Packaging Inc.
Several corporations responded with similar messages, saying they are in compliance with applicable laws.
Records
for properties like this Irving-owned land in New Annan, shown here in a
screengrab, are searchable through Geolinc, the province's online
portal. (Prince Edward Island government/Geolinc)
"I've had a look at your email and wanted to clarify that J.D. Irving, Limited is managed, owned and controlled separately from many of the businesses you've listed," wrote Anne McInerney, the company's vice president of communications.
"I can tell you that where J.D. Irving, Limited is concerned, we are fully compliant with all relevant land ownership legislation."
McInerney didn't respond to a follow-up email asking which of the 20 corporations for which CBC News had calculated land holdings were managed under the J.D. Irving umbrella.
For part of its calculations, CBC News relied on Statistics Canada's inter-corporate ownership database, which lists 188 different corporations within the Irving family group of companies.
Act easy to circumvent: law prof
Concerns about the Irvings buying up P.E.I. land were one of the main factors that motivated the Progressive Conservative government of the day to enact the Lands Protection Act back in 1982, according to Margaret McCallum, a retired University of New Brunswick law professor who studied and wrote about the act.
'It
seems to me that it's more legislation that's intended to pacify,' says
retired University of New Brunswick law professor Margaret McCallum,
who studied and wrote about the Lands Protection Act. (Ken Linton/CBC)
But McCallum said the law has always been too easy to circumvent and too hard to enforce when it came to preventing the concentration of land in corporate hands.
"It has slowed down what might have been a much more rapid concentration of ownership," she acknowledged, but added: "You can hire a good lawyer and easily create entities that are distant enough from you that their land holdings won't be counted as your land holdings."
It seems to me ... the legislation was meant to respond to a public outcry... If it didn't really change anything, that was okay with the people who passed it, or the people who had to implement it.
— Margaret McCallum, retired professor
McCallum said she believes the goal of the law has been to give the appearance that governments have been taking steps to protect land, rather than actually protecting it.
"It seems to me that it's more legislation that's intended to pacify — that the legislation was meant to respond to a public outcry, to settle things down, but if it didn't really change anything, that was okay with the people who passed it, or the people who had to implement it," she said.
'Zero transparency': Green MLA
"We won't let the Irvings or Cavendish Farms take control of our lands," said Jim Lee, the Progressive Conservative premier in power when the Lands Protection Act was enacted in 1982.
"There is no way that we will tolerate the Irving company acquiring any additional land in Prince Edward Island," Lee's Liberal successor, Joe Ghiz, said in 1990.
In April 1990, people protested land ownership regulations outside Province House, shown here in this file photo. (CBC)
CBC News asked for an interview with P.E.I.'s current minister of housing, land and communities, Steven Myers, but the minister was not made available.
The province directed CBC News to IRAC, which also declined a request for an on-the-record interview.
Application required
The Lands Protection Act requires corporations to submit an application if they want to own more than five acres of land or 165 feet of shore frontage, with cabinet having the final say on whether the transaction will be allowed.
There are provisions in the act to prevent multiple corporations under the same control from stacking land limits, but historically those provisions have been difficult to interpret and enforce.
The law relies on the concept of "beneficial ownership" of a corporation, stipulating that a person or corporation with indirect control or influence over a given corporation is deemed to be the one in control of it.
But Prince Edward Islanders aren't able to see how IRAC interprets the act, or the advice or recommendations the commission provides to cabinet, or whether cabinet members actually follow IRAC's advice when making a decision.
"There is zero transparency," said Green MLA Matt MacFarlane.
Green
Party MLA Matt MacFarlane intends to table an amendment to the
province's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act this
fall which, if passed, would open up IRAC's advice to cabinet to freedom
of information requests. (Wayne Thibodeau/CBC)
MacFarlane, a lawyer who said he's guided many clients through the land application process, said the commission "does all the hard work and the heavy lifting" in determining whether a certain purchase should be allowed.
But from that point on, "we don't know if IRAC's recommendation is accepted or followed, or if cabinet makes a decision based on whatever it wants to see," he said.
MacFarlane intends to table an amendment to the province's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act this fall. If passed by the PC-majority legislature, it would open up IRAC's advice to cabinet to freedom of information requests.
The act also includes a requirement that individuals and corporations who are within 75 per cent of the land holdings limit submit annual reports on their holdings to IRAC.
In early 2020, CBC News filed a freedom of information request seeking copies of land holdings reports submitted by corporations for 2019. There were 17 such reports, but IRAC has thus far refused to provide copies to CBC News. The file is under review by the province's privacy commissioner.
"It's a real shame that those reports, as far as I know, just are filed with IRAC and then nothing happens, and the public doesn't get to see them," said McCallum.
Court battles and fines
There have been multiple court battles over the years between the Irvings and the P.E.I. government, along with orders from the province for the Irvings to divest land.
In 1999, the province calculated the Irvings were in control of 5,600 acres through a handful of corporations, and gave those corporations a timetable to reduce their holdings down to 3,000 acres.
Seven years later, IRAC launched an investigation to determine whether that actually happened, and ended up imposing $13,000 in fines against various Irving corporations, including the maximum fine under the Lands Protection Act at the time of $10,000 to Island Holdings Ltd. for leasing 1,649 acres of land without going through either IRAC or cabinet.
These are very successful companies with deep pockets… who can continue to buy land.
— Ian Petrie, agriculture journalist
Ian Petrie covered agriculture as a reporter with CBC News for 32 years, and still writes a weekly column for the publication Island Farmer.
He recalls that one of the goals of the government of Angus MacLean, the premier under whom the Lands Protection Act was developed, was to ensure land would stay available for Islanders who had an interest in taking up farming.
Nowadays, he said, the sharp rise in the price of farmland has put that out of reach for many who aren't already in the business.
Former
premier Angus MacLean, whose government brought in the Lands Protection
Act 42 years ago, wanted to make sure young people could continue to
get into agriculture. (CBC)
Petrie and McCallum both said a provincial farm land bank, something promised by the PCs under Dennis King but never followed through on, would help ensure farming could be a viable option for young people looking to get into the business.
Petrie also said that, with the Lands Protection Act now 42 years old, the province should consider stricter enforcement of ownership limits pertaining to multi-generational farm families who are using the "beneficial ownership" clause of the act.
He said other operations beyond the Irvings have been able to significantly increase their footprints through multiple corporations across multiple generations.
"These are very successful companies with deep pockets… who can continue to buy land," Petrie said.
Without stricter enforcement of land limits, he said, "the same problems that we're seeing back in '82, this slow loss of control by average Islanders, and the ability to own land — we lose that."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Reply to David Amos
Matthew MacFarlane
A lifelong resident of the South Shore area, Matt brings extensive experience and an unwavering commitment to advocating for his community. His roles as Co-Chair for the South Shore Health and Wellness Centre and President of the Atlantic branch of the Kidney Foundation of Canada highlight his tireless efforts in championing causes important to his community. His efforts secured improved access to healthcare in the district and helped establish a much-needed provincial renal clinic at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Matt received his Bachelor of Arts degree (Political Studies) from UPEI in 1997 and his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ottawa in 2000. Matt then worked as an advisor in the Senate of Canada and the Department of Foreign affairs before returning to PEI where he has maintained a general law practice for twenty years with clients throughout Prince Edward Island. Matt is committed to giving back to the community, regularly donating his time to various community organizations in the areas of health, the environment, and business sectors. He has served on the executive of provincial, regional and national non-profit boards of directors.
Matt was born and raised in DeSable and currently lives in Augustine Cove with his wife Johanna.
Matthew B. MacFarlane
In all of his practice areas, Matt prides himself on providing personalized attention to his clients and their needs. He takes the most direct path to achieving the best client outcomes, offering an approachable option for legal services that are delivered in a straightforward and timely manner. Matt has appeared in all levels of court in Prince Edward Island, and practices law in multiple areas.
Legal Practice Areas
Administrative and Regulatory Law
Commercial Fisheries Transactions
Municipal Law
Property & Real Estate Law
Wills and Estates
+1 902 436 4851
matthew.macfarlane@keymurraylaw.com
Laura Lee Perry - Legal Assistant
+1 902 436 4608
lauralee.perry@keymurraylaw.com
+1 902 436 5063
Ian Petrie
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Ian is a well-known Island resident who has been living in Iona, PE since 1980. He hasn’t always lived on the Island, as he attended his post-secondary studies at Bishop’s University, Quebec where he graduated in 1971. After graduating, Ian taught for two years in New Brunswick, then worked as an Environmental Studies sessional lecturer at Carleton University, also for two years. His life and work then brought him into the journalism world where he worked for CBC in both radio and television from 1979 until 2009. After having retired from CBC, he returned to his teaching background and taught Broadcast Journalism at Holland College for six years. He is still very active in the field of writing/reporting and currently writes for two publications: the Island Farmer, and RED Magazine, and is working on two video documentaries. Even though Ian keeps himself pretty busy, he finds time to give back to his community and currently volunteers with the Belfast Development Corporation, Festival of Small Halls, the PEI Adapt Council, and the Southeast Environmental Association.
petriemedia@gmail.com
Contact
SEA Change! SEA Solutions! SEA the Future!
- 41 Wood Island Rd, Montague, PE, C0A 1R0
- PO Box 1500
- +1 (902) 838-3351
- seainfo3@gmail.com
Margaret McCallum
Shamrock, Prince Edward Island
Canada
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Apr 3, 2023 at 4:57 PM
Subject: YO Wayne Easter Methinks many political animals were happy to see my comments evaporate before the Election in PEI is history N'esy Pas?
To: premier <premier@gov.pe.ca>, <D17@liberalpei.ca>, <leader@greenparty.pe.ca>, <info@ndppei.ca>, <info@greenparty.pe.ca>, <waynebiggar@gmail.com>, <heath.macdonald@parl.gc.ca>, <Robert.Morrissey@parl.gc.ca>, <Sean.Casey@parl.gc.ca>, <Lawrence.MacAulay@parl.gc.ca>, <novascotia@equalvoice.ca>, <info@qc125.com>, <curtis@mainstreetresearch.ca>, <D1@liberalpei.ca>, <D2@liberalpei.ca>, <D3@liberalpei.ca>, <admin@islandparty.ca>, <Angieb_3@live.ca>, <adina.nault@greenparty.pe.ca>, <laverne.macinnis@greenparty.pe.ca>, <boyd.leard@greenparty.pe.ca>, <michele.beaton@greenparty.pe.ca>, <D14@liberalpei.ca>, <georgina.bassett@outlook.com>, <campbell@campbellwebster.ca>, <D10@liberalpei.ca>, <aweaster@gmail.com>, <dave.stewart@theguardian.pe.ca>, <thielel@bellaliant.net>, <zmurphy@younkerkelly.com>, <nicola.macleod@cbc.ca>, <stu.neatby@theguardian.pe.ca>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, Nathalie.G.Drouin <Nathalie.G.Drouin@pco-bcp.gc.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, Katie.Telford <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, pierre.poilievre <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, jagmeet.singh <jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, <Speaker.President@parl.gc.ca>, <heather.bradley@parl.gc.ca>, <michael.chong@parl.gc.ca>, <Erin.OToole@parl.gc.ca>, <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Hon. Wayne Easter" <aweaster@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2023 11:57:14 -0300
Subject: Re: I just called about the upcoming PEI by election
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.c
Yes. This is my email
WE
On Thu, Mar 30, 2023 at 11:53 AM David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.c
wrote:
> Wayne Easter
> David. Can you email at aweaster@gmail.com I have some information you
> may or may not have.
>
> On 10/4/20, David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada
> >
> > Zack Bell gets PC nod for Charlottetown-Winsloe byelection
> >
> > Bell wins nomination on 2nd ballot
> > Nicola MacLeod · CBC News · Posted: Oct 03, 2020 3:44 PM AT
> >
> > 5 comments
> >
> > David Amos
> > Hmmm Methinks i should make a few calls again N'esy Pas?
> >
> >
> > NDPs, Liberals announce byelection candidates after uncontested
> nominations
> >
> > Zac Murphy will run for the Liberals while Lynne Thiele snags the NDP
> > nomination
> > Nicola MacLeod · CBC News · Posted: Oct 03, 2020 3:16 PM AT
> >
> >
> > 0 comments
> >
> > David Amos
> > Content disabled
> > Methinks i should make a few calls again N'esy Pas?
> >
> > https://www.facebook.com/Lynne
> >
> > Zac Murphy
> > Wealth Professional.
> > zmurphy@younkerkelly.com
> >
> > Phone : (902) 367-4250
> >
> > Zack Bell
> > Sales Representative
> > zbell@kenmacenergy.com,
> > Phone: 902-940-1390
> >
> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.c
> > Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2020 22:54:34 -0300
> > Subject: Attn Annamie Paul Now you know what CBC and everybody else knows
> > To: connect@annamiepaul.ca, john.tasker@cbc.ca
> > Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, Newsroom
> > <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>
> >
> > https://www.cbc.ca/news/politi
> >
> > Toronto lawyer Annamie Paul elected leader of the federal Green Party
> >
> >
> > Paul is the first Black permanent leader of a major federal political
> party
> > John Paul Tasker · CBC News · Posted: Oct 03, 2020 5:00 PM ET
> >
> > https://www.annamiepaul.ca/
> >
> > connect@annamiepaul.ca
> >
> > 1-833-ANNAMIE 266 2643
> >
> > ---------- Original message ----------
> > From: "MinFinance / FinanceMin (FIN)"
> > <fin.minfinance-financemin.fin
> > Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2020 19:29:22 +0000
> > Subject: RE: I received no response from the RCMP or the lawyer Derek
> > Sloan about the voicemail I got from his Chief of Staff Benjamin
> > Martin last week
> > To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.c
> >
> > The Department of Finance acknowledges receipt of your electronic
> > correspondence. Please be assured that we appreciate receiving your
> > comments.
> > Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, we apologize in advance for
> > any delay in responding to your enquiry. In the meantime, information
> > on Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan is available on the
> > Government of Canada website at
> > www.canada.ca/coronavirus<http
> > calling 1-800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232) or 1-833-784-4397.
> >
> > Le ministère des Finances Canada accuse réception de votre courriel.
> > Nous vous assurons que vos commentaires sont les bienvenus.
> > En raison de la fluidité de la crise de la COVID-19, il est possible
> > que nous retardions à vous répondre et nous nous en excusons.
> > Entre-temps, les informations au sujet du Plan d'intervention
> > économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19 sont disponibles dans
> > le site Web du gouvernement du Canada au
> > www.canada.ca/coronavirus<http
> > composant le
> > 1-800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232) ou le 1-833-784-4397.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------- Original message ----------
> > From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.c
> > Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2020 16:29:05 -0300
> > Subject: I received no response from the RCMP or the lawyer Derek
> > Sloan about the voicemail I got from his Chief of Staff Benjamin
> > Martin last week
> > To: Derek.Sloan@parl.gc.ca, rick@petersoncapital.ca, "PETER.MACKAY"
> > <PETER.MACKAY@bakermckenzie.co
> > <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, "Brenda.Lucki" <Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>,
> > "barbara.massey" <barbara.massey@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
> > michael.chong@parl.gc.ca, Erin.OToole@parl.gc.ca,
> > "andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca \"Hannah.Thibedeau\""
> > <Hannah.Thibedeau@cbc.ca>, "Catherine.Cullen"
> > <Catherine.Cullen@cbc.ca>, "Bill.Morneau" <Bill.Morneau@canada.ca>,
> > newsroom@globeandmail.com, "Nathalie.Drouin"
> > <Nathalie.Drouin@justice.gc.ca
> > Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>,
> > Speaker.President@parl.gc.ca, heather.bradley@parl.gc.ca, pm
> > <pm@pm.gc.ca>, "Katie.Telford" <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, info
> > <info@lewislaw.ca>
> >
https://davidraymondamos3.blog
Sunday, 2 April 2023
P.E.I.'s biggest issues as the campaign draws to a close
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Writ Podcast - Ep. #87: Final stretch in PEI's election
Éric Grenier
1.6K subscribers
Stuart Neatby on where things stand a few days before PEI's votes are
counted. https://www.thewrit.ca/ Dennis King’s Progressive
Conservatives kicked off the Prince Edward Island election campaign
with a big lead in the polls, seemingly leaving the only real battle
to be between Peter Bevan-Baker’s Greens and Sharon Cameron’s Liberals
for official opposition status. But are King’s PCs still on track for
a big majority win, maybe even a sweep? Or did any of the campaign’s
controversies or this past week’s leaders debate change the dial? Back
to wrap this campaign is Stuart Neatby, political reporter for the
Charlottetown Guardian and the Saltwire Network.
269 views 2 days ago The Writ Podcast
6 Comments
John Gaudet
John Gaudet
The King audio is an interesting one with many undercurrents. Perhaps
is Kevin Arsenault, having lost to King in the prior PC leadership
election, still bitter and is using this to damage King and therefor
was baiting him into a corner to extract that sort of remark? It
clearly couldn't have been recorded with King's consent, and could
very well be why the other parties have shied away from the issue -
also for fear of the other parties potentially saying the wrong thing
that could backfire on themselves immensely to further help the PC's
(not that they need much help given recent polling). I doubt that
Dennis King is at all homophobic or transphobic, but he seems like an
easy target to manipulate or bait into giving an answer that would
either please the room or make himself look bad.
David Amos
David Amos
Methinks the Arsenault dude has a very interesting blog and mailing
address to say the least N'esy Pas?
Michael Subasic
Michael Subasic
I think the sweep scenario is one of the best arguments for electoral reform.
Sir Will
Sir Will
we were so close....
David Amos
David Amos
I disagree
Sir Will
Sir Will
Stop dismissing the tape. Whether he holds the views or not he was
reinforcing those bigoted views which is bad.
David Amos
David Amos
I concur
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canad
P.E.I.'s biggest issues as the campaign draws to a close
From health care and housing to climate change, land use and much more
CBC News · Posted: Apr 02, 2023 7:00 AM ADT
A drone shot overlooking Charlottetown in the evening. There are more
than 100,000 voters on Prince Edward Island. (Shane Hennessey/CBC)
P.E.I.'s provincial election campaign is coming to a close. Ahead of
the final vote on Monday, April 3, we're looking back at issues that
came up during the campaign as mattering most to Islanders.
From health care and housing, to climate change, the cost of living
and much more, Islanders are dealing with a multitude of issues that
we explored throughout the campaign. Here are our stories.
Analysis
Health care's the big ticket so far. Here's what else happened in
P.E.I. election's 1st week
Analysis
Promises aplenty and candidates lock in: What happened in Week 2
of P.E.I.'s campaign
Analysis
Political parties banned from Pride Parade: What happened in Week
3 of P.E.I.'s campaign
Analysis
Women account for 44% of candidates in P.E.I. election, up a third from 2019
Analysis
P.E.I. PCs fulfilled about 60% of 2019 promises, CBC finds
PEI Votes
2023 promise tracker: Keep tabs on what P.E.I. political parties
are pledging
INTERACTIVE
How do the parties compare on these P.E.I. election issues?
Health care and housing
2 internal medicine physicians at Prince County Hospital submit resignations
PEI Votes
Supervised injection site may be moved from Belmont Street
P.E.I. doctors warn of potential health-care 'system collapse'
PEI Votes
P.E.I. nurses, without a contract for 2 years, see further delays
because of election
PEI Votes
West Prince residents worried about future of Western Hospital
PEI Votes
Greens, Liberals question wisdom of UPEI medical school
PEI Votes
P.E.I. party leaders debate health care, housing ahead of
provincial election
Climate change, land and the cost of living
Analysis
'It is a mess': How to fix health care dominates P.E.I. election campaign
Land ownership questions draw a big crowd in Kings County
PEI Votes
Farmers say labour and land use major concerns during P.E.I.
election campaign
PEI Votes
Could UPEI faculty be forced back to work? Not during an election campaign
PEI Votes
Contractless unions demand their voices be heard ahead of P.E.I. vote
PEI Votes
P.E.I.'s workforce becomes a top election issue as labour shortage wears on
PEI Votes
Cost of living, worker shortages top of mind as P.E.I. leaders
debate economic policy
PEI Votes
Cost of living, inflation, housing key issues on P.E.I. campaign trail
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
55 Comments
David Amos
Methinks many political animals are happy to see my comments evaporate
N'esy Pas?
David White
Reply to David Amos
No one cares
David Amos
Reply to David White
Clearly you do
David White
Reply to David Amos
Amos table, party of one...
David White
Reply to David Amos
Care? no..amused at your self importance YES!!!
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to David White
Trust that not many folks bother to read the CBC comment sections You
may be more amused by what David Weale and Kevin Arsenault have been
posting on the Internet
Ralph Collicutt
Please what does N'esy Pas mean. We are in canada
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Collicutt
Its Chiac
Daniel Henwell
I never hear ANYONE worried about climate change. Taxes, cost of
living, jobs etc are the real issues. Stop with the nonsense.
David Amos
Reply to Daniel Henwell
I know lots about the Tax Man In fact I have him worried
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Mr. David Amos (As an Individual) at the Electoral Reform Committee
On October 7th, 2016. See this statement in context.
David Amos As an Individual
Mr. Chair, I ran for public office five times against your party. That
said, I ran against Mr. DeCourcey's boss right here in Fredericton in
the election for the 39th Parliament.
I was not aware of this committee meeting in Fredericton today until I
heard Mr. DeCourcey speaking on CBC this morning. I don't pretend to
know something I don't, but I'm a quick study. I thought I had paid my
dues to sit on the panel. I notified the clerks in a timely fashion,
but I received no response. At least I get another minute and a half.
The previous speaker answered the $64,000 question: 338. I can name
every premier in the country. Governor Maggie Hassan is my governor in
New Hampshire. The people there who sit in the house get paid $100 a
year plus per diem expenses. I think that's the way to run a
government. There are lots of seats in the house for a very small
state.
My understanding of this hearing is that you have to report to Mr.
Trudeau by December 1, because he said during the election that if he
were elected Prime Minister, the 42nd Parliament, which I also ran in,
would be the last first-past-the-post election. You don't have much
time, so my suggestion to the clerks today, which I published and sent
to the Prime Minister of Iceland and his Attorney General, was to do
what Iceland does. Just cut and paste their rules. They have no first
past the post. They have a pending election.
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
A former friend of mine, Birgitta Jónsdóttir, founded a party there,
for which there is no leader. It is the Pirate Party. It's high in the
polls right now with no leader. That's interesting. I tweeted this.
You folks said that you follow tweets, so you should have seen what I
tweeted before I came here this evening.
That said, as a Canadian, I propose something else. Number one, my
understanding of the Constitution and what I read about law.... There
was a constitutional expert named Edgar Schmidt who sued the
government. He was the man who was supposed to vet bills for Peter
MacKay to make sure they were constitutionally correct. He did not
argue the charter. He argued Mr. Diefenbaker's Bill of Rights.
In 2002 I read a document filed by a former deputy minister of
finance, Kevin Lynch, who later became Mr. Harper's clerk of the Privy
Council. Now he's on an independent board of the Chinese oil company
that bought Nexen. As deputy minister of finance, he reported to the
American Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of the
corporation known as Canada. It is a very interesting document that I
saved and forwarded to you folks. It says that he was in a quandary
about whether the charter was in effect.
Johnny Reid
The PEI economy is in big trouble no matter what and the political
leisure class invited the very problems that hurt the most vulnerable,
which are our seniors and our working poor!
David Amos
Reply to Johnny Reid
That fairly obvious in light of the fact that Murphy has bring in
foreigners to serve the rich folks coffee and try to boot old ladies
out of their apartments in the process
Carl Jorge
Reply to Johnny Reid
World economy is in trouble, watch the collapsing banks in US. Coming
to the rest of us not in the to distant future.
David Amos
Reply to Carl Jorge
C'est Vrai
Stephen Pate
Dennis King is going back in with a majority. My prediction.
David Amos
Reply to Stephen Pate
The questions for me are how big of a majority will King get and who
will the losers?
Carl Jorge
Reply to Stephen Pate
I'm sure the Irvings, Murphy's have made sure of that, they like their
potato in charge.
David Amos
Reply to Carl Jorge
Its a small wonder to me that your comments don't last very long
David Amos
Food for thought
The Writ Podcast - Ep. #87: Final stretch in PEI's election
Dennis King’s Progressive Conservatives kicked off the Prince Edward
Island election campaign with a big lead in the polls, seemingly
leaving the only real battle to be between Peter Bevan-Baker’s Greens
and Sharon Cameron’s Liberals for official opposition status.
But are King’s PCs still on track for a big majority win, maybe even a
sweep? Or did any of the campaign’s controversies or this past week’s
leaders debate change the dial?
Back to wrap this campaign is Stuart Neatby, political reporter for
the Charlottetown Guardian and the Saltwire Network.
Stephen Pate
Reply to David Amos
The controversies are from the media or small groups of malcontents.
David Amos
Reply to Stephen Pate
That looks like a rather large group of malcontents to me
Land ownership questions draw a big crowd in Kings County
Buddhist monks say they are not 'using shell companies to buy up land'
in Eastern P.E.I.
Brian Higgins · CBC · Posted: Mar 23, 2023 6:00 AM ADT
Carl Jorge
Content Deactivated
Reply to David Amos
Monks just human traffickers in disguise.
David Amos
Reply to Carl Jorge
Thats libel
David Amos
Deja Vu Anyone?
Kevin Arsenault enters race for leadership of P.E.I.'s PC party
Says Islanders need to 'confront and solve' social, economic and
environmental issues
CBC News · Posted: Dec 05, 2018 9:18 PM AST
"People say ethics and politics don't mix. I say it's time they
started," Arsenault told the crowd of about 70 people at
Charlottetown's Murchison Centre. "Government should belong to the
people. I'm going to do a whole lot to make that happen."
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Methinks many political animals should never deny why I talked to them
about this election N'esy Pas?
David White
Reply to David Amos
You place way too much importance on yourself.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to David White
At least I have a real name
David White
Reply to David Amos
At least I have my sanity.
David White
Reply to David Amos
That's about all you have that real.
David White
Reply to David Amos
*thats
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to David White
Everybody knows why I sued PEI in 2015
David White
Reply to David Amos
You can sure anybody, winning is another thing.
David White
Reply to David Amos
*sue anybody*
David Amos
Reply to David White
I appealed a decision I won Remember?
David White
Reply to David Amos
No I don't.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to David White
So do you want to play dumb about my blog and Twitter account while
you continue to flag me in order to cover your nasty butt?
Melissa Belvadi
Climate change is a global issue, best suited in a sovereignty-based
world for national governments to deal with, or at most, the largest
states/provinces. For a provincial government of a province as small
as PEI, focusing on it (which entails opportunity costs of not
focusing as much on other more local issues) does the populace no good
service. We need our MLAs to fix healthcare, housing, and education.
They can't begin to make a dent in climate change, so any time wasted
on it is pure virtual signaling.
Carl Jorge
Content Deactivated
Reply to Melissa Belvadi
Why nobody ever talks about China, the biggest polluter in the world
and instead bows down to them.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Carl Jorge
How long will your comment last this time?
Michael G. L. Geraldsan
Content Deactivated
After the election is over, there'll be no news to report on PEI? Oh
wait, there's always lobster and potato protests?
David White
Content Deactivated
Reply to Michael G. L. Geraldsan
You are certainly fixated on PEI, Did an Islander take your lunch
money at school?
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to David White
I believe you should look in a mirror
Don Maurice
Content Deactivated
Reply to David White
Islander?
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Michael G. L. Geraldsan
Lest we forget
Land ownership questions draw a big crowd in Kings County
Buddhist monks say they are not 'using shell companies to buy up land'
in Eastern P.E.I.
Brian Higgins · CBC · Posted: Mar 23, 2023 6:00 AM ADT
David White
Content Deactivated
Reply to David Amos
I believe you should make sense for once.
David White
Content Deactivated
Reply to Don Maurice
He said he lived in Nova Scotia, He seems to spend a lot of time
complaining about the Island along with David Amos who can't keep
whatever he babbles about contained to NB. I am guessing an Islander
had done him wrong and scarred him somewhere along the way.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Don Maurice
Geraldsan is not a real name
Michael G. L. Geraldson
Reply to David White
A copycat poster is posting using a variation of my surname, notice
the difference in spelling. I do live in Nova Scotia and have never
complained about PEI, I love visiting.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Michael G. L. Geraldson
I don't believe David White is using a true ID either
David White
Reply to David Amos
Yes, there is no such name as David White..
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to David White
It does not follow that name is yours
David White
Reply to David Amos
Yes there are only a couple David Whites in the world surely it's
impossible I am one. I recalled you were under some assumption I was
some NB Government person sent to monitor you on CBC.
You are really not that important.
David Amos
Reply to David White
Could it be because that is just exactly who you are?
Mike May
Reply to Michael G. L. Geraldson
I muted the other.
David Amos
Reply to Mike May
I prefer to moniter them
David White
Reply to David Amos
Again, you give yourself way too much importance to think the Gov.
would shadow you.
David Amos
Reply to David White
Of course they do Cops call me quite often Plus I have been arrested
on both sides of the Medicine Line since I ran in the election of the
38th Parliament Correct?
David Amos
Reply to David White
Furthermore Anyone can click on my ID to see who is following me
Don Maurice
Reply to Michael G. L. Geraldson
Michael, I have given up on this section, if they allow copycat names
(heck, my imposter doesn't even use a variation of mine), there isn't
much point to being here. Until later my friend and maybe this summer
we can share those long-awaited pints.
David White
Reply to David Amos
Correct? Again, you assume people have heard of you. Give the ego a rest.
David Amos
Reply to David White
Everybody who plays politics knows who I am
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Don Maurice
Sometimes its important to feed the t-r-olls
David White
Reply to David Amos
Yes your army of 15... You are quite the influencer.
David White
Reply to David Amos
Uhm...no, No they don't.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to David White
The RCMP and Everybody and his dog knows that is not my children following me
Don Maurice
Content Deactivated
Reply to Don Maurice
I will stay on for 2 more weeks.
David Amos
Reply to Don Maurice
Methinks somebody should call the RCMP in the "Mean" Time N'esy Pas?
David White
Reply to David Amos
Nobody knows what you are talking about your 'innuendos' only
appreciated by yourself... Amos table party of one!
David Amos
Reply to David White
They would if you quit flagging me
https://www.facebook.com/david
David Weale
April 2nd ·
THE JUGGERNAUT
In this last post before the election I would like to tie up a few
loose ends with regard to the presence of Bliss and Wisdom on PEI.
The following email from 2019 provides very interesting and possibly
troubling information. Was it I wonder an early harbinger of growing
tension within Bliss and Wisdom between the Taiwanese and the
Chinese..
The email reveals the fear senior GEBIS monk Walter Tsai. (see at end
of post) "We are trying to avoid trouble," he says. and mentions
potential problem around the issuing of visas. Did he know then the
Chinese Government would stop issuing visas through the Taiwanese
owned Moonlight Academy? Did he fear the Chinese groups would separate
from the control of GEBIS, and go their own way when it came to
purchasing their own lands, and setting up their own corporations
etc.?
We know now that the Chinese corporation ‘Compassion and Grace
Institute’ is doing just that; purchasing land for subdivisions,
developing multiple housing properties and even buying and creating
their own construction companies.
Is there a serious rift developing.
The fear of the forcible reunification of Taiwan with China is real.
It will happen as it did in Hong Kong. We all know the exodus of
residents and capital that fled Hong Kong due to Communist China’s
Government removing democracy.
In other words, GEBIS PEI and Bliss and Wisdom were trying to
eliminate the Chinese nuns organizations here on PEI? But why? It
makes one wonder if the widely feared attack on Taiwan
by China is reverberating here in PEI. You also have to ask how all of
this is affecting the small children in the Monasteries who are caught
in the middle of this tension? We know our provincial Government is
tasked to do an annual “inspection” but how much do we know about what
changes are being made to our Government’s approach to accommodate
these changing circumstances?
We supported GEBIS and GWBI in the beginning. They were lauded as two
completely autonomous groups who were here for peace and quiet. Now
there are actually five groups, three Chinese and two Taiwanese
Government approved. One wonders what we have gotten ourselves into
here on PEI?
I can not predict the outcome of Monday's election, but I will predict
immigration will become a much bigger concern in the following
election. It is more important now than it ever was for islanders to
demand questions be answered surrounding this group.
It's no longer us asking questions about how many work visas and
student visas are being issued every year now; rather, for how many
thousands of immigrants or refugees are those five wealthy
organizations preparing. And if you are still one of those who
disbelieves all of this, and takes false comfort in the fact that
GEBIS and GWBI haven’t exceeded their permitted acreage, then you are
in for quite a shock, for as you read the five Buddhist groups, their
nuns and monks, their highly devoted parents and followers, and their
affiliated corporations are preparing the venue for those who will be
coming.
We have already revealed how the Hopetown
Development Group and GEBIS International have met with our Government
explaining the massive plans for sites such as Hopetown. Does our
Government already know what is coming?
Walter Tsai, quoted above, is attendant to Master Jen Ru, he is
brother to Nun Yvonne Tsai at GWBI who holds power of being Director
of Finance for what will be the central location of Bliss and Wisdoms
financial division here in Prince Edward Island.
Walter and Yvonnes mother is General Manager of Leezen International
stores, and Walter and Yvonne's Father is Consultant for Bliss and
Wisdom in Kunming China. And listed as the director in several huge
companies. And that is just one family.
Another aspect of all this connivance was mentioned by Nun Yvonne
during the Deagle standing committee where she as well as Nun Joanna
attempted to explain the movement of large money transfers and
donations to their own organization. And the beat goes on.
And for anyone who still thinks these Groups are not all connected,
please view the Certificate of registration for GEBIS below. Gebis was
the first group here, but is one with all the other groups that
followed, and there is no good reason to believe that, if unchecked,
the juggernaut is going to slow down any time soon.
https://kevinjarsenault.com/20
EPISODE 9: QUID PRO QUO – IT APPEARS DENNIS KING COMMITTED ELECTION FRAUD?
March 8, 2022 Kevin J. Arsenault E-gaming, INVESTIGATIONS
PREAMBLE
During the last PC Leadership Campaign (2018-19), it became known to
at least some of the candidates, that a number of unsavoury and
preferential occurrences were happening with Denny King and his
hard-core campaign team.
He had all the heavy-hitters on his team, key players from the
backroom. Adam Ross quit his position with the PC Party to work
full-time to get Denny the leadership; and Margaret Ann Walsh left her
position on the PEI PC Party Executive to become his Campaign Manager,
but not until AFTER she was done vetting his competitors, the other
candidates, including me.
There was controversy from the get-go, with contender Shawn Driscoll
raising concerns about Ross’s resignation.
Kerri Carpenter also sat on the Executive and participated in the
candidate vetting[she also sat on the dispute resolution committee
that had been set up for the Campaign], and had rented her building to
Denny, which the rest of us complained about, so she too resigned.
Carpenter would likely deny it, but she sure seemed “all in for Denny”
to me at the time.
Shawn Driscoll had contacted the rest of us with information about
Carpenter’s dealings with Denny. We supported him in his bid to have
her removed, on the strength of the facts he had uncovered, and we all
signed a letter to that effect.
Shawn was unfortunately sitting in the front of the wagon behind the
horse when the tail suddenly lifted, for instigating the action, and
was immediately taken off the Christmas Card mailing list of every PC
Backroomers from tip to tip to tip! Ouch.
Carpenter then resigned. But her building lived on in the saga, first
as Denny’s headquarters during the PC Leadership race, then through
the election Campaign, and apparently, Ms. Carpenter has since swung a
sweet deal when Hon. Steven Myers was Minister of Transportation, and
(I haven’t verified, but got the information from a very reliable
source) has a lease on the building with the Department of
Transportation until at least the second Coming. Bravo Kerri!
I could go on and on with the names and connections and supporters of
King that I witnessed – names that show up now as “appointments” or
people involved in deals, etc., but that’s enough context on a wider
scale…time to get back to the very serious matter that is the meat and
potatoes of this article.
Suffice it to say that as the campaign progressed, the backroom
emerged more and more from the shadows, and all those who said they
were “neutral” and wanted to let the membership decide were
frantically taking out ads in the newspapers, tweeting and doing
photo-ops for Denny, even the MLAs like Stephen Myers and Sidney
MacEwan who swore they weren’t endorsing any candidates…all of a
sudden there was a full-court press from them all for Denny!
There were also rumours of a secret fund for Denny having been raised.
I was told directly by someone who had first-hand knowledge, but to be
honest, without any documented evidence, I wasn’t certain I wasn’t
being set up to make some public claim that was false. At any rate,
that’s not something I do, so because during the campaign I had no
proof, I never mentioned or wrote about it, although I figured it was
indeed true: that King had been the beneficiary of secret, mostly
‘cash’ funds, to support his campaign…funds that he did not declare as
campaign donations.
Proof now seems to have come with the latest court filing by Maines in
the lawsuit against Dennis King et. al.. In particular, in the form of
information and documentation obtained by Private Investigator,
Derrick Snowdy, which he swore to as factually true in a second
Affidavit that I’ll get to in a minute, after just a bit of background
on how Snowdy came to be the person both receiving, and then swearing
to that critically-important information.
JR apparently met with Snowdy last August, and it was to Snowdy JR was
going to provide – as a whistle-blower – the confidential documents
(nearly 900) on the “Gamesys Proposal”.
There were a number of back-and-forth messages between Maines and JR
concerning providing the documents to Snowdy in a Manila envelop via
mail, to protect JR’s identity. Up until JR’s decision not to provide
the documents he agreed to provide, JR’s identity as the
“whistle-blower” was being protected by Maines in the legal filing.
Snowdy’s first Affidavit, filed with the original Motion that is
seeking an Order to preserve private emails of Defendants, referred to
JR only as either the “whistle-blower,” or anonymously as “Smith”.
The back-and-forth between Maines and JR regarding his release of
documents to Snowdy happened in June-July, 2021. JR had secured a
position with the ALC after 3 weeks on the “inside” with the Gamesys
Proposal group, and had not signed any non-disclosure agreements or
was not beholden to that group in any way apparently, and was now safe
and secure with his new job at the Atlantic Lottery Commission and was
talking strategy with Maines on being a whistle-blower:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada
Kevin Arsenault enters race for leadership of P.E.I.'s PC party
Says Islanders need to 'confront and solve' social, economic and
environmental issues
CBC News · Posted: Dec 05, 2018 9:18 PM AST
Kevin J. Arsenault has launched his bid for leadership of the
Progressive Conservative Party of P.E.I. (Brian Higgins/CBC)
It's now a five-way race for leadership of the Progressive
Conservative Party of P.E.I.
Kevin Arsenault kicked off his leadership bid Wednesday night.
"People say ethics and politics don't mix. I say it's time they
started," Arsenault told the crowd of about 70 people at
Charlottetown's Murchison Centre. "Government should belong to the
people. I'm going to do a whole lot to make that happen."
PC leadership prospects use annual gathering to gauge support
Arsenault, 60, has served in leadership roles in agriculture and
immigration as executive director of both the National Farmers Union
and the P.E.I. Association for Newcomers to Canada. He holds a PhD
from McGill University and has taught ethics and religious studies at
UPEI.
"People know me because of my writing and research and, I guess, my
tenacity," said Arsenault.
During his 40-minute speech, Arsenault attacked the Liberal
government's record, especially in immigration and agricultural
policy, calling the government's actions "corrupt."
"I overestimated the degree of ethics that were in government,"
Arsenault told the crowd at one point, to loud applause.
"Lock 'em up!" shouted a man in the crowd. The remark drew scattered laughter.
If chosen leader and then elected premier, Arsenault will "put an end
to the persistent corruption and self-serving scandals that have made
P.E.I. a national embarrassment under the Liberals during the past
decade," according to a written statement provided before Wednesday's
meeting.
Arsenault's speech focused on ethics in government. (Brian Higgins/CBC)
Since leaving the Newcomers Association in 2010, Arsenault has worked
as an organic market gardener, consultant and as a self-described
independent investigative reporter. During his speech, he read from
his own writings and referred listeners to his website for more.
Arsenault told the crowd he feels good about running for leadership of
the PCs, win or lose.
"They say a clear conscience is the best pillow," said Arsenault.
"I'll sleep well knowing I tried."
Four other candidates — Allan Dale, Shawn Driscoll, Dennis King and
Sarah Stewart-Clark — previously announced their leadership bids.
Current PC leader James Aylward will remain in his role until a new
leader is chosen at the leadership convention Feb. 9 at the Eastlink
Centre in Charlottetown.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
2 Comments
David Amos
Methinks this dude has a very interesting blog and mailing address to
say the least N'esy Pas?
Shane MacDonald
Given his vocal and activist anti-abortion stance, it will be
interesting to see how much support he gets.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Shane MacDonald
I must say that you had lots to say recently EH?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada
Land ownership questions draw a big crowd in Kings County
Buddhist monks say they are not 'using shell companies to buy up land'
in Eastern P.E.I.
Brian Higgins · CBC · Posted: Mar 23, 2023 6:00 AM ADT
Some of the more than 200 people who filled Saturday's meeting to
capacity at Cavendish Wellness Centre in Montague. Others, outside in
the parking lot, attempted to watch a livestream of the meeting. Some
of the more than 200 people who filled Saturday's meeting to capacity
at Cavendish Wellness Centre in Montague. Others, outside in the
parking lot, attempted to watch a livestream of the meeting.
(Submitted by Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Lands)
A grassroots land-protection group is calling on the Island Regulatory
and Appeals Commission to investigate the ownership of land in the
Kings County area of Prince Edward Island.
More than 200 people attended a public forum in Montague on Saturday,
organized by the Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Lands.
"This is a big issue within Three Rivers," said Shane MacDonald, one
of the speakers at the meeting. "A lot of people have been waking up
to the actual mass of purchases of large corporations in the Three
Rivers area or even just Eastern P.E.I."
The meeting focused mainly on land owned by two Buddhist monasteries
in Kings County, as well as land owned by corporations or individuals
that coalition organizers believe to be affiliated with the Buddhist
movement on P.E.I.
Strengthen P.E.I.'s Lands Protection Act, urges former justice minister
P.E.I. government orders review of land ownership to determine if
any rules being broken
The coalition has concerns over what it sees as a concentration of
land ownership, and the impact of rising land prices on the local
community.
"Multiple properties being sold and resold to non-residents is giving
us massive inflation," MacDonald told CBC News on Monday. "There's
evidence to see that a lot was sold a year ago for $20,000 and then
sold for $100,000 a year after that. That's a massive increase."
'A lot of people have been waking up,' says Shane MacDonald. 'People
are generally concerned about the future of the land,' says Shane
MacDonald. (Brian Higgins/CBC)
He added: "People are generally concerned about the future of the land
and how future generations are going to be able to purchase land."
Limits on land accumulation
Coalition organizers say people and corporations they believe to be
associated with the Buddhist community in Kings County are conducting
real estate transactions that, in the view of the coalition,
contravene the spirit — if not the letter — of Prince Edward Island's
Lands Protection Act.
The Lands Protection Act places limits on the amount of land that can
be owned by any single person or corporation. A person can't have more
than 1,000 acres, and a corporation can't exceed 3,000 acres in total.
Government tables changes to close 'loopholes' and increase
transparency in land purchases
13 recommendations made to change P.E.I. land policies in government report
The coalition says real estate transactions involving 15,500 acres of
land in Kings County can be traced back to an entity or entities with
the name "Bliss and Wisdom."
The coalition claims to have examined the ownership details given for
some of the entities and found that names of owners and directors of
various entities overlap in some cases. That leads the coalition to
speculate that the organizations are linked. CBC has not independently
verified those claims.
The data examined was gathered from "Canada tax, GeoLinc and ... two
or three other organizations," according to Douglas Campbell, district
director of the National Farmers Union.
Man in sweater in front of dairy truck. Douglas Campbell, photographed
in 2017, was one of the speakers at Saturday's meeting in Montague.
(Steve Bruce/CBC)
"On government's part, there's been a blind eye turned to what is
going on," Campbell told CBC News.
The coalition has also complained that crop land they believe to be
affiliated with the Buddhist community is not being farmed, and
instead left fallow.
Social media contains misinformation, say monks
A spokesman for Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society monks
living communally in Kings County say the monks are dismayed and
alarmed by what they say is rumour and misinformation.
Buddhist retreat in eastern P.E.I. expands
Inside the life of P.E.I.'s young Buddhist monks in the making
"It's not true that they are using shell companies to buy up land in
Kings County," said Xing Chang, a monk who identifies himself in
English as Venerable Dan.
"Some people have solidified a conclusion about us... There's clearly
a disconnect."
Man in orange robe stands in front of large residential building.
Venerable Dan, photographed in June 2022 for a story about the monks'
efforts to end food poverty on Prince Edward Island, (Thinh
Nguyen/CBC)
Venerable Dan says the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society
(GEBIS) owns about 575 acres of land. A separate group based in
Brudenell, the Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute nuns, owns 663 acres of
land, a spokeswoman told Saltwire News on March 21.
The GEBIS monks are completing construction on a large multi-purpose
building in Heatherdale that will become the society's main campus in
Kings County, including residential facilities.
Atlantic Voice
How Buddhist nuns are building bridges in wake of monastery controversy
'They thought we parents didn't care about our children': Parents
of young monks, nuns in training have say
Venerable Dan says the monks employ organic agricultural methods on
their cropland, and are unaware of any of their acreage that has been
left fallow. Some of their land is loaned out "for free" to other
organic farmers in Kings County, he said.
The monks say "Bliss and Wisdom" is a name used by several non-profit
organizations, but there is no formal connection among them. They
compare the use of the phrase "Bliss and Wisdom" to the common use of
the word "Island" in the names of various independent businesses on
P.E.I.
A new multi-purpose building in Heatherdale will become the focal
point of the main campus in Heatherdale, P.E.I., for worship and study
by monks of the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society. A
new multi-purpose building in Heatherdale will become the main campus
for worship and study by monks of the Great Enlightenment Buddhist
Institute Society (GEBIS). (Brian Higgins/CBC)
Social media posts about the issue contain misinformation, Venerable Dan said.
"The past two or three months, it seems there more people drawn into
it. You keep posting stuff and people believe it."
Venerable Dan says the monks were aware of Saturday's meeting in
Montague and chose not to attend.
Lands Act needs 'constant revision': federation
The P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture says Saturday's meeting reflects
long-standing concerns over land ownership on the Island, as well as
questions over the effectiveness of the Lands Protection Act when it
comes to corporate aggregation.
P.E.I. privacy commissioner concerned as IRAC withholds corporate
land records
Irvings now in compliance with P.E.I.'s land ownership limits, minister says
'We see issues with land ownership [in Kings County]. We see some
confusion," said Donald Killorn, executive director of the federation.
"We saw un update on the Lands Protection Act recently that we hope
did close some of the more prominent loopholes."
Donald Killorn in P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture office. The P.E.I.
Federation of Agriculture has long lobbied for better protection for
farmland, says Donald Killorn. (Shane Hennessey/CBC)
Killorn points out that he knows of "Island-born" farmers who have
exceeded land ownership limits, by listing their spouses as owners of
tracts of crop land.
"The act does require constant revision as people work to try and
circumnavigate the law," said Killorn.
This is not about race. It's always been about the land.
— Douglas Campbell
The coalition says ethnicity is irrelevant, and in the past,
accusations that questions about the monks are motivated by racism or
xenophobia have diverted attention from legitimate concerns.
"This is not about race," said Campbell. "It's always been about the land."
CBC News reached out to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission
for comment on the coalition's concerns. It replied with an email
saying it was aware of Saturday's meeting but nobody from the
coalition had been in direct contact with the commission.
The email added that IRAC "will continue to serve its role in
administering the Lands Protection Act."
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada
Meet the party leaders running in P.E.I.'s provincial election
Read, watch or listen — CBC's profiles of the leaders of P.E.I.'s parties
Cody MacKay · CBC News · Posted: Apr 01, 2023 7:00 AM ADT
The leaders of P.E.I.'s four main parties. From left, NDP Michelle
Neill, Green Peter Bevan-Baker, PC Dennis King and Liberal Sharon
Cameron. The leaders of P.E.I.'s four established parties. From left,
NDP Michelle Neill, Green Peter Bevan-Baker, PC Dennis King and
Liberal Sharon Cameron. See bottom of story for a photo of Island
Party Leader Ahava Kálnássy de Kálnás. (CBC)
As we enter the final days of the 2023 Prince Edward Island election
campaign, we spoke with the party leaders about the campaign, the
issues that matter most to them, and their party then and now.
Here is what they had to say.
Progressive Conservatives
PC Leader Dennis King says he takes nothing for granted
Duration 5:49
CBC P.E.I. is on the campaign trail with PC Leader Dennis King. In
seeing re-election, King says he knows Islanders expect progress, not
miracles.
The Progressive Conservatives went into this election with 15 seats in
the legislative assembly, hungry to maintain their majority government
status and grow their caucus.
Leader Dennis King was a first-time politician in the 2019 campaign
and is now seeking his second term in the premier's chair.
King leads a full slate of 27 candidates and his party heads into
election day on April 3 in a strong polling position, according to
data from the latest Narrative Research poll.
PEI Votes
Dennis King says PC plan is about action after 4 years coping with
global crises
Island Morning 17:00
Leader one-on-one: Dennis King
Continuing with our leaders one-on-one with PC Leader Dennis King in
his home district of Brackley-Hunter River.
New Democratic Party
NDP Leader Michelle Neill wants to make a splash in this election
Duration 5:06
CBC P.E.I. is on the campaign trail with NDP Leader Michelle Neill.
She says party support is on the rise, and they're looking to win a
seat in the legislature for the first time since 1996.
The New Democratic Party was the underdog among the four main parties
heading into the campaign. They haven't had a candidate elected to the
legislature since 1996.
Leader Michelle Neill took the reins of the party just a year ago and
is looking to be elected for the first time in any level of politics.
Alongside her are a full slate of 26 other candidates from across the
Island, including, in West Prince, the first and only NDP politician
ever elected to the P.E.I. legislature, Herb Dickieson.
PEI Votes
Michelle Neill says 'everyday Islanders' at the heart of
everything the NDP stands for
I
Island Morning 11:48
Leader one-on-one: Michelle Neill
Continuing our leaders one-on-one feature with NDP Leader Michelle
Neill at party headquarters in Charlottetown.
Liberal Party
Liberal Leader Sharon Cameron sets sights on winning seat
Duration 5:50
CBC P.E.I. is on the campaign trail with Liberal Leader Sharon
Cameron. Cameron took leadership of the party just four months ago,
and she's laser focused on winning her own seat.
The Liberal Party is hitting for the fences in this election after
dropping to third-party status and dwindling from 16 seats to six in
the 2019 election. The party entered the 2023 race with just three
incumbents re-offering.
Leader Sharon Cameron may be running for political office for the
first time, but she has more than a decade of experience as a deputy
minister. She's taking on Green Leader Peter Bevan-Baker in District
17: New Haven-Rocky Point.
Cameron and 24 other Liberal candidates are running in this election,
including an incumbent in Charlottetown and two in West Prince.
PEI Votes
Liberal Leader Sharon Cameron plans to charge right through Greens to power
Island Morning 19:25
Leader one-on-one: Liberal Sharon Cameron
We are sitting down with each of the major party leaders to learn who
they are, what is important to them and why they are right to be the
next Premier of P.E.I. This morning we're starting with Liberal leader
Sharon Cameron.
Green Party
Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker on what's next
Duration 5:55
CBC P.E.I. is on the campaign trail with Green Party Leader Peter
Bevan-Baker. The party made history by becoming the first Green Party
in North America to form the Official Opposition. So where does the
party go from here?
The Green Party is looking to follow up on its historic success in the
2019 election — which saw eight candidates elected and the party
forming the Official Opposition.
That was a feat for the Greens that had never happened before in the
history of Canadian politics.
Leader Peter Bevan-Baker has twice won his district convincingly. This
time he's facing Liberal Leader Sharon Cameron in his own district — a
political move by Cameron that shocked Islanders, as leaders typically
don't run against each other.
The Greens are fielding a slate of 25 candidates, with all incumbents
re-offering except District 11's Hannah Bell.
PEI Votes
Peter Bevan-Baker says Greens have 'clear vision' and proven track
record to govern
Island Morning 16:45
Leader one-on-one: Peter Bevan-Baker
Continuing our coversations with major party leaders. Mitch sat down
with Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker at the Blue Goose restaurant
in his home district #17.
Island Party
Island Party runs 11 candidates
Duration 2:25
The Island Party has been around since 2011, but it's had a recent
resurgence. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau caught up with a few candidates and
the party's new leader, Ahava Kálnássy de Kálnás.
After a 12-year hiatus, the Island Party has returned to run in the
2023 P.E.I. election.
Ahava Kálnássy de Kálnás has been at the head of the party for about a
month and is looking to be elected for the first time.
Kálnássy de Kálnás leads a slate of 11 candidates who say they want to
introduce recall legislation, and focus on town halls and referendums
on major issues — which the party says puts the power back in the
hands of the people.
PEI Votes
Island Party leader says accountability front and centre for new
political party
Island Morning 5:43
Leader one-on-one: Ahava Kálnássy de Kálnás
Continuing our leaders one-on-one feature with the Island Party leader
Ahava Kálnássy de Kálnás in King's County.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
5 Comments
Carl Jorge
Does it matter who gets elected? Policy is not set by PEI gov, they
are just the puppets put in front of you.
John Goode
Anyone but Sharon or Dennis.
Patrick MacDonald
Reply to John Goode
Also add Peter
George Clark
Sharon Cameron always seems to come across as having a grudge against
Peter Bevan Baker. Attack the ideas not the person.
Jim Dub
Reply to George Clark
Peter Bevan Faker has chip on the shoulder syndrome. Both his ideas
and person deserve to be challenged.
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