NEWS RELEASE

November 21, 2002                                                                                                         For Immediate Release

BILL WOULD LIMIT LIBERAL’S ABILITY TO RUN ROUGHSHOD OVER PROPERTY RIGHTS

“Breitkreuz’s bill would strengthen every individual’s right to own and enjoy property in federal law.”

Ottawa – Today, Garry Breitkreuz, Official Opposition Critic for Firearms and Property Rights, re-introduced his Private Members’ Bill to strengthen property rights protection in federal law.  Stephen Harper, Leader of the Official Opposition seconded Breitkreuz’s bill.

“It always comes as a shock to people when I tell them their fundamental right to own property and enjoy the fruits of their own labour are not protected in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” said Breitkreuz as he explained his reasons for introducing his bill.  “If they have any doubts they should talk to those prairie farmers who tried to sell their own grain.”

“The Liberals claim that the Canadian Bill of Rights provides adequate protection of property rights in federal law, but the courts have repeatedly proven this not to be the case,” reported Breitkreuz.  “Meanwhile back in Parliament, the Liberals continue their attack on everyone’s right to own and enjoy property in bill after bill.”

Breitkreuz provided a few examples to prove his point:

• The Liberal’s Species at Risk legislation fails to provide full compensation for landowners who have their land taken out of production when an endangered species is found on their land.
• The Liberal’s Cruelty to Animals amendments to the Criminal Code could have significant and detrimental implications for many legitimate farmers, ranchers, trappers, outfitters, etc.  But there is no provision to compensate animal dependent businesses for any losses they suffer because of this poorly-worded legislation.
• The Liberal’s Canadian Wheat Board Act has resulted in prairie farmers being jailed for selling the grain they grew on their own land.  Farmers in other provinces have the right to sell their own crops, why not prairie producers?

• The Liberal’s Firearms Act banned more than 500,000 legally-owned and registered firearms and refuses to compensate their owners for their loss in value or when they are confiscated outright.  As a Southam News editorial said on January 10, 2002, “Those who support this because they disapprove of guns should consider: If you favour government authority over property that you don't like, it is harder to fend government off when it comes after yours."

"We do not just cancel civil liberties without cause,” said Solicitor General Wayne Easter in the House of Commons on Tuesday, November 19, 2002.  “What was he thinking when he voted for the four government bills I just cited? asked Breitkreuz.  “Did he think that property rights are not a civil liberty?  Are the Liberals afraid to put their property rights bashing bills to a vote of a two-thirds majority of the House as my Private Members’ Bill would require?”

“While our party policy calls for an amendment to include property rights in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, we will continue to pursue every legislative measure we can to strengthen property rights protection in federal law.  Canada is the only modern democracy that does not include property rights in their constitution.  This bill is a first step to correct this deficiency,” concluded Breitkreuz. 

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