Land Agents Licensing Act

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Alberta Surface Rights Federation recently passed the following resolution concerning Surface Rights Consultants.

WHEREAS there is a widespread need for surface rights consultants to advise and defend the interests of Alberta Landowners and Occupants.

WHEREAS- these consultants are not seeking to acquire an interest in lands.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that - Alberta Surface Rights Federation request that the Government of Alberta exempt these consultants from the provisions of the Land Agents Licensing Act. Resolution Carried.”

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Also The Western Barley Growers are redoubling their efforts with the following resolution to come forth at their annual meetiong Feb. 14-16 in Calgary.

Western Barley Growers Association – Calgary – February 17, 2006
Whereas: One of the major sources of friction that farmers as landholders have is dealing with petroleum companies, and



Whereas: Years ago the Land Agents Licensing Act in Alberta was amended in a move described by the amending Minister at the time as “housekeeping changes”, but the effect has been to make it illegal for farmers to hire anyone except a licensed petroleum landsman to defend themselves against the takings of the petroleum industry, and



Whereas: This restriction makes it difficult for farmers to get impartial land agent representation since the bulk of their work is for the petroleum companies they work for, putting farmers at a disadvantage in these negotiations, and



Whereas: impartial representation will be critical if all the provisions of Environmental Farm Plan are applied, making farmers liable for petroleum mishaps on their land, and



Whereas: A number of private members bills seeking to correct this have died on second reading and a potential government bill on the matter is possible this year.



Therefore be it resolved that the Western Barley Growers Association:
Support the amendment of the Land Agents Licensing Act to allow farmers and landowners to hire impartial land consultants who are not beholden to the petroleum industry to represent them.

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The Wild Rose Agricultural Producers passed the following resolution at their Annual Convention in Nisku yesterday.

Be It Resolved That Wild Rose Agricultural Producers lobby the Government of Alberta to separate the landowner from the Land Agent’s Licensing Act by removing Section 1,C, II from the Act, and;

Be It Further Resolved that the land owner shall also be able to access any expertise he deems applicable and as the proponent initiated the negotations of the land, the proponent should be expected to pay for the cost of the advisors the landowner uses.