I have been holding off for a few months on writing this letter. I was hoping that this government, and returning Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler, would right their wrongs on their own.
With no changes made, Mr. Eichler departing and a new agriculture minister in place, I am writing with a call to action for them.
In the fall of 2019, Mr. Eichler introduced horrendous changes to the Crown lands system.
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After massive leaseholder protests, he was forced to concede, that serious mistakes had been made. He seemed to ‘see the light’ and made a public statement, announcing the return of family transfers and the implementation of a one-time unit transfer.
This announcement was not a remedy for the changes but was very happy news for most Crown land leaseholders.
I personally went ahead with a land deal under the assumption that his word meant something.
Soon after, Blaine Pedersen became agriculture minister. He then turned a blind eye, and ignored the promise of the one-time unit transfer, a decision which has devastated many.
Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson, the new agriculture minister, has an amazing opportunity to right the wrong done, and follow through with this promise.
This will allow many older ranchers a way out and us young ranchers a chance in.
I call on you, Minister Johnson, to follow through with the one-time unit transfer that was promised, and allow many people to move forward with their lives — and, maybe, get a vote or 30 back in the process.
Dakota Sorensen
Eddystone
