Albertan's have a lot to fear from Bill 19 - 2009's Land Assembly Project Area Act seeks to give sweeping powers to Cabinet to expropriate or freeze property for extended periods of time. What is more, the provisions of this Act allow Cabinet to do so without properly compensating the property owner. Of course, private property may be needed for a public project - but the processes and compensation mechanisms need to be fair, transparent and predictable.

This Act also infringes on the authority of our existing court system - it gives Cabinet the final authority, which leaves property owners with very limited options to appeal any actions taken under the auspices of this act.

In essence, Cabinet is no longer compelled to properly compensate property owners - and they want to make sure that if you don't like it, there is nothing you can do about it. Relocation costs and other direct or indirect damages incurred may not be compensated.

This is particularly frustrating and angering because Albertans' property rights were better protected under the previous arrangement under the Expropriation Act and Surface Rights Act.

What is more, Bill 19 uses imprecise language, which has led to concern amongst many property owners. It is unclear how mineral ownership rights will be compensated - as well as more intangible property such as leases, licenses and permits. These matters are too important to be left open to interpretation - Albertans need clear legislation and clear intentions from their government. Bill 19 fails both of these litmus tests.