APAS calling for a farmers’ advocate office

The Alberta government has one in place for Alberta farmers

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

An ag organization in Saskatchewan wants the provincial government to create a farmer support office like one found in a neighbouring province.

At its annual general meeting, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) passed a resolution to lobby the provincial government to set up a Farmers’ Advocate Office (FAO).

Alberta established its FAO in 1973. It “works to ensure rural Albertans have consumer protection, rural opportunities and fair process,” its website says.

The minister of agriculture appoints a person to the position.

He or she listens to the concerns of rural residents and farmers, documents the office’s annual work, creates a report, and submits it to the minister of agriculture.

APAS wants Saskatchewan’s FAO to operate in a similar fashion.

In the Alberta FAO’s 2019-2020 report, for example, Peter Dobbie, the Farmers’ Advocate for Alberta, documented legislative changes and advisories related to well sites and other topics.

This isn’t the first time APAS has passed a resolution calling for its own FAO.

The organization agreed on similar resolutions in 2013 and 2014.

British Columbia did have an FAO.

B.C.’s FAO started in 2010 and received funding from multiple government ministries.

Funding for it ran out in 2019 and has since been replaced by the Farmers Information Service.

Manitoba does not have an FAO.

Farms.com has contacted APAS for comment regarding an FAO in the province.