The man who led the fight for Alberta farmer’s rights against oil companies as the first farmers’ advocate has died at the age of 70.
Helmut Paul Entrup spent 15 years in government office raising the profile of farmers’ rights when dealing with energy companies.
“He was instrumental in bringing forward the cause farmers had on energy operations,” said Paul Vasseur, assistant farmers’ advocate.
While his style may have seemed forceful at the time, he was key to raising concerns and establishing rights farmers now take for granted, Vasseur said.
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“He would negotiate with the president of the firm. He was not satisfied with talking to the manager. He’d stand there and thump on the desk.”
Helped communities
Entrup, of St. Albert, was also instrumental in establishing rural gas co-operatives and supporting communities that wanted to bring natural gas to their area.
He helped establish surface rights associations so farmers could have a formal body to pursue their concerns with energy companies.
He also negotiated what is called the Nova Rental Scheme. Because of his negotiations, landowners are paid an annual compensation fee for the Nova pipeline crossing their land.
Entrup died from a heart attack while he was on vacation in Australia. Poor health had forced him to take early retirement from his job in 1988.
Entrup was born in Germany and immigrated to Canada in 1954. Funeral services were held March 9.
