Oneil Carlier - Alberta Ag Minister. | Jeremy Simes photo

VIDEO: Alberta ag minister focuses on innovation

Oneil Carlier talks about further tapping into food processing sector as well as new farm safety rules

Alberta Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier sees greater use of green technologies and boosting the food processing sector as important factors in the future success of the agricultural sector. Carlier spoke with The Western Producer about his vision and what producers can expect in 2018, during a recent year-end interview. He said Alberta saw big investments […] Read more

The Alberta Energy Regulator will be given more authority to scrutinize companies that want to return to produce more oil.  |  File photo

Alta. gets tougher on abandoned oil wells

The Alberta government plans to further scrutinize bad-behaving oil companies that abandon their wells, don’t clean them up and then want to return to produce more oil. At issue is a requirement known as Directive 67, which deals with how oil companies are licensed when they want to start drilling. Currently, oil companies can declare […] Read more


Alberta MLAs have voted to get rid of three rural ridings and add three urban ones in time for the next provincial election in 2019. | Screencap via www.abebc.ca

Alberta will lose three rural ridings heading into 2019 election

Alberta MLAs have voted to get rid of three rural ridings and add three urban ones in time for the next provincial election in 2019. Members of the legislature officially made the changes yesterday, voting 41-25 for dismantling rural ridings so Edmonton, Calgary and Airdrie-Cochrane each could gain one. Twenty-one MLAs were absent for the […] Read more

Alberta veterinarians have taken issue with proposed provincial government legislative changes that they say were made without consultation and that they fear will negatively affect animal care and welfare. | File photo

Alta. veterinarians in uproar over legislative changes

Alberta veterinarians have taken issue with proposed provincial government legislative changes that they say were made without consultation and that they fear will negatively affect animal care and welfare. The changes include the option for veterinary practices to advertise their fees, a requirement that they disclose all fees before treating pets and that they acquire […] Read more


Al Kemmere, president of the AAMD&C, called on members to support his resolution to lobby the government on not reducing the number of rural ridings.  |  Jeremy Simes Photo

Plan to reduce rural ridings irks MDs

Alberta’s rural leaders plan to lobby the provincial government to maintain the number of non-urban electoral ridings. They argue that reducing the number of rural ridings would reduce rural voices in the legislature. The decision to take up the issue came about following a resolution passed Nov. 15 at the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts […] Read more

Alberta's Agriculture and Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier said while the AOPA committee is slated to be disbanded, he will still select people with agriculture expertise when it comes to forming a panel to oversee nuisance disputes. | File photo

Alberta Ag Minister eases concerns over changes to new agency legislation

Alberta’s agriculture ministry is moving to ease worries that non-farmers might be appointed to hear agricultural nuisance disputes. The provincial government proposed new legislation Oct. 31 to dissolve the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) practice review committee and 13 other agencies. Official changes are currently being debated in the legislature. The AOPA committee used to […] Read more

UCP candidates stress fiscal management

The three men vying for leadership of Alberta’s nascent United Conservative Party squared off in their fifth and final debate Oct. 17 in Lethbridge. Brian Jean, Jason Kenney and Doug Schweitzer talked turkey to party members in the final push to the UCP membership vote scheduled for Oct. 28. There was no mention of agriculture […] Read more


Farm groups plan to have a say at climate change hearings

Agriculture can be part of the climate change solution, say Alberta farmers, and they want to tell their good news story during a provincial government consultation process. The government has appointed an advisory panel that will review the province’s climate change policy and consult with Albertans on how the government can play a role in […] Read more