Hon. Mike Currie, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, today announced that adjoining landowners along the Confederation Trail are not obligated to enter into a farm crossing agreement with the province.
Minister Currie said his department was asked to draft a farm crossing document at the request of the legal counsel representing two landowners from Dunstaffnage. Recent media reports have indicated these landowners do not support the draft document, therefore the Minister has directed staff to no longer pursue any type of formal crossing agreement.
"We never felt a farm crossing agreement was necessary, but we were acting in good faith on a request by these landowners," said Minister Currie. "This was drawn up to specifically deal with these individuals and they knew that, but it was taken out of context when the contents of the agreement were delivered to the media."
"We feel the trail corridor that divides farm property should be dealt with in the same way in which highways that divide farm property are. We do not feel it is necessary to provide barriers to cross the highway and we do not feel it is necessary to provide barriers to cross the trail corridor."
Minister Currie wanted to stress the point that no landowner has ever been obligated to enter into a farm crossing agreement, but if an adjoining landowner specifically requests it, the department may consider entering into an agreement.
"We will ensure that landowners rights are protected," concluded Minister Currie.