Vote Compass: Property rights a big issue in rural Alberta

Most respondents to CBC's Vote Compass believe the government should have "somewhat less" say over the property of landowners, according to recently compiled data.

The ruling Progressive Conservative governmentsparked controversy when it introduced a series of land billsit claims are designed to strike a balance between the environment, industry and agriculture.

Vote Compass data reveals that property rights matter more in rural areas than Alberta's cities.

Men and older respondents are also more likely to indicate that property rights are more important than women and younger people who participated in CBC's online voter engagement tool.

Self-identified Wildrose Party supporters "are stronger in their position of wanting less government control over property compared to PC, Liberal and NDP supporters."

Dale Wilson, who farms near Drumheller, is one of them.

The traditional PC voter plans to vote for the Wildrose Party in this provincial election.

"I'm not saying the Conservatives haven't served us well," he told CBC News. "It's just these land issues have got us upset and we've voiced our opposition to them.... They had an opportunity to listen and do more than they did ... and that's where they've disappointed me."

Property rights a contentious issue in Drumheller-Stettler

Vote Compass identified Wilson's riding of Drumheller-Stettler as one of the ridings where respondents want less government interference in property rights.

The Wildrose Party has promised to repeal the contentious property lawsand to entrench basic property rights in the Alberta Bill of Rights.

Rick Strankman is carrying the Wildrose banner in Drumheller-Stettler in this election.

The farmer says he was motivated, in part, to run for the party because of its opposition to the Progressive Conservative Government's Bill 24, which gives the province the right to sequester carbon underground.

"As a landowner, I believe that I have the right to the stewardship of my property ... it's not right for the government to intrude on that," he said.

The PC incumbent in Drumheller-Stettlerwho won the riding by nearly 70 per cent in the 2008 provincial electionis fighting hard to hold the constituency.

But Jack Hayden says the issue of property rights has made campaigning in his largely rural riding tough.

Hayden blames his own party and himself for not explaining the land bills.

But he remains committed to the province's oversight of development, stressing that the province continues to grow.

"For anyone to suggest that we can sit back and not plan is insanity," says Hayden.

"We need to protect our agricultural land... We need to protect sensitive lands. We need to make sure that our water systems are sufficient for the future," he adds.

Vote Compass identified the top five ridings where respondents want "much less" government sayover landownership:

1. Grande Prairie-Wapiti

2. Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock

3. Lethbridge-East

4. Drumheller-Stettler

5. Little Bow