The Rural Voice, 1991-07, Page 35BY WINNING BATTLES WITH PIPELINE COMPANIES,
FARMER CHANGES LAWS FOR ALL AGRICULTURE
Reviewed by Diane O'Shea
Friends laugh at the mention of "the small important
people." Then, upon reflection, they usually nod in empathetic
agreement. Peter Lewington is one of those "small important
people." In his capacity as a farmer first and a journalist
second, he documents in detail his 30 year battle to reduce and
change damages left to farmland by pipelines. In addition, the
documentation includes the discovery of some out-of-date
laws and legislation, and the changes made to them.
No Right -Of -Way is the story of one family farm operation
—Larigmoor Farm, near Ilderton — of Peter Lewington and
his wife, Jean, and their obsession to do what, in their hearts,
felt right and just. This obsession, however, faced incredible
odds, almost like the classic David versus
Goliath struggle, with Goliath being
Interprovincial Pipeline Limited, the
largest pipeline company in North
America, and Bechtel, one of the largest
engineering and consulting firms in the
world. Intertwined in the Goliath camp
were members of the federal government
who would later become directors of oil
companies or Bechtel. As if all this wasn't
enough intimidation for one family farm,
the general lack of support and assistance
from various levels of government and
educational institutions — with a few
exceptions — were also a part of the
Goliath.
h all started in 1949 when Peter broke
a knife on a tractor mower while cutting
hay. The cause of the break — a sur-
veyor's stake — was his first inkling of
pending pipeline construction. The Im-
perial pipeline stretched from Redwater,
Alberta, to Sarnia, Ontario, through some
of southwestern Ontario's finest farmland, and supplied
exploding post World War II cities with energy. Never did
concern or interest in the farmland and agriculture in general or
the rights of the landowners, let alone the environment, enter
the minds of the Goliaths. But their attitude would change after
three pipeline intrusions.
The bewildering story of perseverance and dedication of a
man and his family (and that of nearby neighbours who were
experiencing similar intrusions complicated with unbelievable
destruction to land, animals, and profession) for the love of
their land and the basis of their livelihood, is simply re-
markable. No Right -Of -Way explores the power hungry
selfishness of the "big boys" when it comes to compensation
for irresponsible practices involving pipeline construction, and
degradation of precious topsoil and drainage systems.
But here was a farmer who did choose to fight. He cared
deeply about the land and the future of the land, and like anyone
in history who has pioneered change, did so learning the
system in the process. With many stumbles and falls, the
system for Peter included the Railway Act of the late 1800s, the
substitution of the word "pipeline" for "railway," the
patronage appointments of the National Energy Board and the
judicial bodies.
A happy ending? Yes! In September 1981, after lengthy
court battles, hours of detailed documentations, travel, tele-
phone and communication expenses, to say little of personal
toll, he achieved the reward of just victory. This achievement
was not just for the Lewingtons, however, and their
neighbours, but for all agriculture and the
HOW
DEMOCRACY
CAME TO THE
OIL PATCH
it PETER LEWINGTON
environment. The price had been paid by
the stamina and endurance of one "small
important person" — although he readily
attributes much of his success to the
support, encouragement, and invol-
vement of many neighbours, other indi-
viduals, and especially his best friend, his
wife Jean. But it's Peter's persistence,
drive, determination for justice, and his
deep care and concern for man and the soil
that can serve as a model for all involved
in agriculture today.
In 1991, reference is often made to the
need for agricultural literacy. Peter
Lewington has spent 30 years and more
practising agricultural literacy to a whole
host of specialists. These specialists have
included not only the "big boys" of
business, but government and those in the
judicial system. Farm people too, by their
nature, are sometimes quick to criticize
their fellow farmers when new inroads
are explored. After all, change leads to a fear of the unknown.
It is recognized that not all Peter's neighbours welcomed his
constant determination. In fact, some threw up their hands in
hopelessness. However, in a time when agricultural literacy is
needed more than ever, we as farmers must arm ourselves with
the tools of knowledge and resources, and thus equipped can
better prepare for the battles we continually face that threaten
our very existence and livelihoods. No Right -Of -Way is such
a tool for the "small, important people" of rural Ontario and
Canada. We should be indebted to the "small important
person" of Peter Lewington for providing this tool of hope.°
No Right -Of -Way
By Peter Lewington
Published by Fitzhenry and Whiteside
$32.50
JULY 1991 31