P.E.I. government orders new investigation into Buddhist land holdings in the province [Video]

P.E.I. Minister of Land Steven Myers has ordered the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission to launch a new investigation looking at the land holdings of Buddhist organizations in the province.

In a media release Wednesday, the province pointed to two specific groups — the Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (GWBI) and the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society (GEBIS) — both of which have significant land holdings in Eastern P.E.I.

Those land holdings have been the topic of speculation and controversy for years. In recent months, that’s led to accusations against members of Three Rivers Council and even safety concerns for council members, who have maintained all along that issues of land ownership fall within provincial jurisdiction.

“Islanders have valid concerns about who owns land and how it is being used, especially since we are a small province with limited land,” Myers was quoted as saying in the media release. “But it’s important too that these discussions are based on evidence, not assumptions.”

Prince Edward …