P.E.I. Lands Protection Act FileArticle contentOn June 5, retired Supreme Court justice David Jenkins spoke before the legislative standing committee on education and economic growth. He presented the details of an inquiry he is leading on the handling of sexual misconduct complaints in the Island’s school system. His presentation included concise terms of reference for this inquiry. Its scope and authority were well defined through “the powers and immunities of a commissioner appointed under the Public Inquiries Act.”THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentArticle contentFurther to this, a timeline was established as was his intention to provide its finding to the public. Concern for possible political interference in this inquiry was covered by Jenkins’ simple statement: “I’m not going to take instructions from the minister.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentThis was an example of a structured, adequately resourced, independent public inquiry. The bar has been set very high in this instance. It suggests our government’s recognition of a compelling problem and its sincere intention to address it transparently and in a timely manner.Article contentA stark contrast to this model is provided by the various inquiries undertaken by IRAC on potential non-compliance with the Lands Protection Act.Article contentArticle contentIn July 2019, the minister of agriculture tasked IRAC to investigate recent land acquisitions by Irving family-related corporations. The methodology of this inquiry was never made public.Article contentArticle contentA “lengthy and complex” report was provided to the minister in October of 2020. As a result of information within this report, the minister ordered divestiture of acreage recently acquired. A month later a judicial review was launched by interests ordered to divest the land in question. Shortly thereafter, the divestiture order was lifted. IRAC’s “lengthy and complex report” was never made public. No further action was taken.Article contentIn 2017-18 an investigation was undertaken by IRAC on the land holdings in Kings County of five specific Buddhist corporations including GEBIS and GWBI. On Jan. 26, 2018, a notice was sent to the three legal firms representing these corporations stating that “this investigation … has ended.” Once again, the scope and terms of reference used in this inquiry were never shared with the public. If there was a report on its findings, not even the minister responsible was allowed access to it. No further action was taken.
LETTER: P.E.I. land holdings investigations left in inquiry limbo
