Introduction
In June, Bill 36 was passed into law. In October the Alberta
Land Stewardship Act ("ALSA") was
proclaimed in force. The question posed by the title of this
bulletin is whether the inspiration for the ALSA was
Woodie Guthrie's popular American folksong "This Land is
Your Land". Many verses remain to be written through regional
plans and regulations required to implement the ALSA. The
legislation has the potential, however, to significantly impact
both existing and future development in Alberta.
History of Alberta Land Use Planning
Land use planning is not new. The development of private land
has been regulated by local governments throughout Alberta's
history. This regulation has been limited to zoning and development
approvals, geographically confined within municipal boundaries and
made subordinate to provincial legislation. That said, local zoning
and development powers can have a significant impact on property
rights and land values.
