FOCUS ON THE LAND: Preparing for the Royal Commission

On October 20,1988, the Executive Council appointed a Royal Commission to inquire into all matters relating to land ownership, land use and the quality of the Island landscape. The Royal Commission on the Land will hold fifteen public hearings across the province, beginning on April 3, to receive the views of Island organizations and individuals. A summary of information about the Royal Commission is contained on page 5.

Background Information

In 1972 the Royal Commission on Land Ownership and Land Use carried out a round of public hearings. It released its report in 1973. Most of the information presented here attempts to show changes that have taken place since that time.

Population Change Between 1971 and 1986, the population of the Island grew from 111,641 to 126,646, an average increase of 1000 persons per year. From a low point of 88,000 in 1931, population numbers have grown slowly but steadily over the last half century.
Population Distribution: Urban, Rural Non Farm, Farm Most population growth between 1971 and 1986 occurred in urban centres and surrounding rural land. Farm population declined by more than half during this period. Less than 8 of the total population now lives on farms.
Changes in Agriculture Between 1971 and 1986, both the number of farms and the amount of land in agriculture declined, continuing a trend that has proceeded unchecked since the early part of this century. Less than half the total area of the province is now occupied by farms. Despite overall acreage decreases, total farm production has not declined. As farm numbers decline, the average size the remaining farms increases.
Cropland Despite declines in farm numbers and overall farmland acreages, land in crop production increased by 35,000 acres between 1971 and 1986. Row crops (potatoes and tobacco) accounted for much of the increase. As total farmland acreages decline, the land within crop rotation is being farmed more intensively.
Changes in Labour Force, 1971-1986 The labour force has grown dramatically with the entry of more women into the workplace. The relative position of the primary land based occupations (farming, fishing) declines with the rapid expansion of the service or tertiary sector.
Tourism Growth Between 1975 and 1987, annual expenditures by tourists increased from $26 million to 82 million. The significance of the tourist industry to the Island's economy continues to increase. Rural and seashore vistas are an important element of the tourist experience.

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Land Use Planning

In 1973, no city, town or village had developed a plan for its future. By 1988, 28 towns and communities had adopted Official Plans with zoning bylaws, to plan and regulate land use within their boundaries. In rural areas that are not within municipalities, or in communities with no Official Plans, land use is regulated by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs using the Planning Act Regulations.

Location of New Single Family Dwellings 1977-1988 More than half of all new single-family dwellings continue to be built in unserviced areas, using individual wells and septic tanks.
Growth in Summer Cottage Lots, 1973-1987 From 1973 to 1987 3500 more cottage lots were created than building permits issued. There is an abundant supply of approved cottage lots within the province.
Non-Resident Land Ownership Changes Between 1973 and 1988 an average of 3400 acres were converted annually from resident to non-resident ownership. Acreage owned by non-residents increased from 7 to 11 of the total area of the Island.
Non-Resident Ownership by Parcel Size The average size of a land parcel owned by a non-resident is 14 acres. Although only 23 of all parcels are more than 10 acres in size, they make up 93 of the total acreage owned by non-residents.
Non-Resident Applications A non-resident must apply to, and receive permission from, Executive Council to own more than 5 acres or 165 feet of shore frontage in the province. The number of non-resident applications has remained relatively constant since 1974.

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Highway Restrictions

Planning Act Regulations are designed to preserve an unhindered flow of traffic along major highways and to provide safe access to other roads. Along arterial highways no driveways to individual house lots are permitted. On other roads, sight distance standards must be met for any new driveway.

Natural Areas

More than 32 sites across the Island have been proposed as natural areas by environmental groups. Natural areas are those that have remained relatively untouched by human activity. At present, most of the 32 have no defined legal status.

LEGISLATION ON LAND

The Royal Commission will be reviewing the effectiveness of the many laws and regulations that affect land in this province. Among the legislation to be considered will be:

Planning Act - sets out the ground rules for land use planning. Contains authority for the province to regulate land under the Planning Act Regulations and for municipalities to establish Official Plans and zoning bylaws.

Lands Protection Act - regulates the conditions for the purchase of land by non-residents and corporations. Limits the maximum land holdings of non-residents, residents and corporations.

Other legislation influencing land use and landscape quality includes:

· Archaeological Sites Protection Act
· Automobile Junkyards Act
· Environmental Protection Act
· Highway Advertisements Act
· Natural Areas Protection Act
· Real Property Act
· Real Property Assessment Act
· Real Property Tax Act
· Recreation Development Act
· Unsightly Property Act

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Role of the Institute of Island Studies

The Institute of Island Studies is a research, education and public policy institute based at the University of Prince Edward Island. The Institute was engaged in 1988 by the Royal Commission to carry out a public information program in advance of the Commission hearings. This program, called FOCUS ON THE LAND, included four Public Meetings as well as special information sessions for communities and groups.

Below is a summary of the mandate for public engage-ment, as it was then expressed:

THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE LAND…

…has established an office in Charlottetown at 53 Water Street, in a portion of the former Seaman bottling plant. The telephone number is (902) 368-5970 and the mailing address is Post Office Box 2799, Charlottetown, C1A 8C4. Inquiries regarding the role and activities of the Commission—in person, by phone or by mail—will be welcomed.

The Commissioners Are... Doug Boylan, Chairman; Gail Wellner, Charlottetown; ElmerMacDonald, Augustine Cove; and, Hugh Robbins, Montague.

And the Staff Members Are... Marlene R. dark, Legal Counsel and Research Director, and Cheryl Stead, Secretary to the Commission.

Public Hearings have been tentatively scheduled throughout the Island at the following places and dates.

Provincial Hearings in Charlottetown on four successive Mondays in April 3, 10, 17, and 24. These formal hearings (written briefs will be required!!) are intended to hear the views of Island-wide organizations and of individuals living in the greater Charlottetown area.

Community Hearings will follow in Alberton (on May 1), in Miscouche (on May 8), in Kensington (on May 15), at the Belfast Regional School (on May 23) and in Souris (on May 29). This round of formal hearings (again, written briefs will be required) are intended to hear the views of local organizations and of individuals living in the area of the hearing. Organizations and individuals intending to make a presentation to either the Provincial or Community hearings are asked to contact the Royal Commission well in advance of the hearing dates.

At the conclusion of the formal round of hearings, the Commission will hold further meetings in six additional Island communities. These sessions will be informal (written briefs not required) and will provide an opportunity for verbal, "off-the-cuff" expressions of opinion on the Royal Commission's mandate. Dates and times for these informal sessions will be announced at a later date

Terms of Reference Assigned to the Commission...

Inquire into and report on:

1st, the major changes and the impact those changes have had in land ownership, land use and the quality of the landscape since the inquiry of 1973 into land ownership and land use,

2nd, all existing legislation pertaining to land use, particularly that relating to ownership by non-residents,

3rd, the relationship of property taxation to land ownership and land use,

4th, land use and quality of landscape issues in relation to the proposed "fixed link" crossing,

5th, the relationship between the quality of landscape and Government policy respecting roadside advertising, and

6th, any matter or subject which the Commissioners may feel to be relevant to the subject of the inquiry.

And further, Council advises that the Commission be directed to seek the views of individuals and organizations concerned with the subject matter of the inquiry.

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FOCUS ON THE LAND: Preparing for the Royal Commission

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