A 2018 land report, long sought after by the Island Regulatory Appeals Commission, may soon be obtained by politicians following a subpoena issued by a legislative standing committee. The report, which delves into land ownership on Prince Edward Island, particularly concerning Buddhist groups in eastern P.E.I., was never disclosed by IRAC. Recent years have seen controversy surrounding these holdings, with concerns raised about potential violations of P.E.I.’s Lands Protection Act.
In efforts to address these rumors, some Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) believe that releasing the IRAC report could provide clarity. Steven Myers, MLA for Georgetown-Pownal, had previously requested the report’s release and had directed IRAC earlier this year to conduct a fresh investigation into the land holdings of Buddhist groups in the region.
Expressing confusion over the handling of the 2018 report, Myers mentioned during an interview with CBC News: Compass that its progress was abruptly halted, possibly by the previous government. If IRAC submits the 2018 report to the standing committee, it will be reviewed by politicians privately. Subsequently, the MLAs will determine whether the report should be fully disclosed to the public or if certain sections need to be redacted.
Green Party Leader Matt MacFarlane emphasized the importance of accessing the complete document, stating that as elected representatives, they need to scrutinize the report to ascertain any potential breaches of laws and take appropriate corrective measures.
Despite IRAC’s caution against releasing the report, citing potential interference with their ongoing investigation into the land holdings of Buddhist groups, MacFarlane expressed skepticism about this explanation, arguing that transparency is imperative when public funds are utilized for investigations.
The use of subpoenas by legislative standing committees, as seen in the case of compelling the province to disclose details of its controversial NHL contract, has been defended by MacFarlane as necessary for ensuring public transparency. He highlighted the government’s obligation to proactively release information without the need for legal coercion.
Regarding IRAC’s offer of a closed-door briefing on the 2018 findings, MacFarlane pointed out that committee members’ inability to publicly discuss the details of such presentations limited transparency and accountability. Progressive Conservative MLAs, including Kent Dollar, opposed the subpoena motion, opting to give IRAC the benefit of the doubt and suggesting that a private briefing might shed light on the reasons behind the report’s withheld publication.
The standing committee has set a deadline of Oct. 8 for IRAC to release the report. In response, IRAC emphasized its commitment to impartially enforce the Lands Protection Act and urged the committee to reconsider the subpoena issuance, citing potential impacts on their ongoing investigative activities.
