Mr. Taylor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. By ramming through Bill 50 last year, this government took away a landowner’s right to be consulted in the construction of high-voltage power lines. 

Now that projects are being planned, landowners are frustrated that they’re being left out of decisions that are severely affecting the value of their property. For example, a 40-acre strip by Crossfield is virtually unsellable because of uncertainty on where those transmission lines are going to go up. To the Minister of Energy: how are Albertans supposed to invest in this province when they’re kept in the dark and they aren’t given any power to protect their interests?

Mr. Liepert: Mr. Speaker, there are a whole bunch of accusations made in that preamble that are completely false. What Bill 50 did was ensure that we not have hearings around the need. The need is evident, and Bill 50 passed the House last fall. What are taking place right now are negotiations with the various proponents of the transmission lines, with the landowners, and it’ll be going before a hearing shortly.

Mr. Taylor: Mr. Speaker, instead of consultations this government prefers information sessions so that people can find out what this government has already decided. With this Big Brother mentality what process is left for Albertans to make their concerns known to this government, Minister?

Mr. Liepert: Well, Mr. Speaker, first of all, any Albertan has the opportunity through any elected official to make their views known relative to any issue. I would suggest that if there’s a particular situation that this member has that he would like to draw to my attention as a minister of the Crown, I would also be open to those suggestions. Then on the official side of it, as I said, the hearings will begin. There’s ample opportunity there as well, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Taylor: Mr. Speaker, we’ve heard reports that the so-called experts sent to these sessions not only lack knowledge, but they also met Albertans’ concerns with contempt. Given this government’s track record for silencing Albertans or attempting to silence them, how can Albertans have any confidence that this government will finally hear and act on their concerns?

Mr. Liepert: Well, Mr. Speaker, I’m not quite sure where the member is getting his information. He prefaced his question by: we hear. I’m not sure where he hears. But, certainly, in the process of going forward with the negotiations with landowners, I’m informed by many of those who are involved that negotiations are proceeding satisfactorily.

Alberta Hansard, March 8, 2010

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