If you are interested in organic and/or regenerative agriculture and their effects on our environment, economy and ultimately, our future well-being, you will want to tune in to this episode of Landlines. Local organic farmer, Sally Bernard, who was awarded the Nuffield Canada Agricultural Scholarship in 2024,  shares her expertise, her new perspectives and some pretty innovative solutions to major problems after visiting farms in the global south as part of her research. It's always refreshing to hear Sally's balanced and hopeful views on farming and how the way we farm has the potential to greatly enhance the world we live in.  

Boyd Allen shares his thoughts about why our recent petition is not only important, but urgent. He cites two cases in point which clearly demonstrate that IRAC can not be trusted to give us the whole story. The Coalition for the Protection of PEI Lands agrees. We need  to demand a public inquiry on Buddhist organizatons' land holdings in Kings County.  "By signing this petition you are standing up for the integrity of PEI lands and supporting the call for clear, just and public-centred land management.", Boyd Allen

 https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/demand-a-public-inquiry-into-pei-buddhist-land

Heather Laiskonis, Executive Director for the PEI Watershed Alliance joins our host, Boyd Allen in this episode of Landlines to talk about our precious and quickly disappearing wetlands in Prince Edward Island. Heather doesn't mince words.  Tune in to hear her thoughts about infilling wetlands, ministerial privilege and much more! 

In this episode, Boyd and Ian look closely at the level of secrecy in IRAC. Ian harkens back to the days when The Land Use Commission, which looked after land transactions at the time, actually travelled to communities where the issues were in order to maximize community engagement.  Today, quite the opposite is true of IRAC.  With IRAC's recent admission that there actually is no 2018 report on GEBIS and GWBI land holdings, it seems the attitude from within is that what and how they do their work is none of Islanders' business.  Lots to unpack in this episode, so grab a coffee and have a listen.  Enjoy and please subscribe and share!

Just last week, IRAC CEO refused a request from a provincial standing committee to see the 2018 investigation into Buddhist land holdings in eastern PEI. She also refused to share an update on the most recent investigation.  This continuing secrecy from IRAC makes our conversation with Ian Petrie all the more intriguing. 

Ian Petrie has been following the activities of IRAC since its inception some 34 years ago.  His work in journalism and connections in agriculture give him a unique and interesting perspective on the inner workings of the Commission and how their actions impact government, developers, realtors and all Islanders.  Tune in to hear host, Boyd Allen and Ian's thoughts on why certain reports have never been shared, what needs to change and much more. So much more that this is just part 1 of a 2 part series on IRAC with Ian Petrie. Enjoy and please share!

No question, to amalgamate groups of small communities or not  has been a hotly debated issue in PEI for many years.  Up until recently, it seemed to be a pressing issue within provincial government. Some communities have been forced to amalgamate, while others were able to take time to consult with constituents and others in order to follow a more democratic process.The Rural Municipality of West River was one of the latter.

This episode features Mayor Helen Smith-MacPhail, from the Rural Municipality of West River. Join Boyd and Helen as they discuss the complex and lengthy process of amalgamation, including the pros, cons and the many, many challenges. 

Jean-Paul Arsenault has been the lead for many government studies and commissions on various topics, his most recent being The Forestry Commission. Join Boyd Allen and JP as they discuss the various methods of public consultation used in these studies. Jean-Paul reveals, in no uncertain terms, the two main reasons why successive governments have failed to initiate an island wide land use plan.

Join host, Boyd Allen along with guest, Gary Schneider as they review PEI's history of forestry practices. After listening, we are sure you will agree that we can and must do better. 

Join host, Boyd Allen and guest, Gary Schneider as they discuss the many serious problems with how forests are treated in PEI, along with some solid ideas for how we can and must do better.