The Coalition for the Protection of PEI Lands asks that the province immediately launch a public inquiry, as outlined in the Public Inquiries Act, into land acquisitions involving the organizations cited in the current investigation, their beneficial owners and affiliates.

This public inquiry must:

- address beneficial ownership as outlined in the Lands Protection Act 9.1, effect of direct and or indirect control;

- provide members of the public with knowledge relevant to the investigation,

- allow members of the public with knowledge relevant to the investigation,to appear as witnesses to give testimony and allow them to bring with them any documentation relevant to the matter under investigation, and;

- ensure rights and protection of persons giving testimony be clearly defined in legal terms.

Furthermore, the findings of this Inquiry must, within limits established in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, be made available to the public in a timely manner.

The Coalition also asks that the Government of PEI order the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) to conclude its current investigation and hand over any documents pertaining to Buddhist land transactions to the public inquiry.

Background Information

The primary purpose of the PEI Lands Protection Act is to limit the total amount of land that individuals and corporations can own, particularly by non-residents, to protect the province's limited land base. Beneficial ownership rules are a key mechanism for achieving this goal.

Although recent calls for federal RCMP and Fintrac investigations may sound like they would provide answers, the truth is that neither organization is likely to delve into beneficial ownership. It is only through exploring beneficial ownership that we will get the true numbers. And let's be clear - IRAC's history of secrecy and patronage make it unsuitable to get the job done.

The Public Inquiries Act provides all the power needed to do this investigation thoroughly, properly and transparently. We just need the government to show the political will to order it. That is where you come in. By adding your voice to this petition, you will help us prove to this government that Islanders are paying attention to what is happening to our land, not only in Kings County and not only within the Buddhist community, but with regard to all other large corporations who continue to abuse the Lands Protection Act.

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*Please note that donations are optional, not required and go 100% to IPetitions hosting site, not the Coalition for the protection of PEI Lands