| | 2017 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
| Resolution #1 | Vegetation Management on Alberta Provincial Highways |
| Resolution #2 | Ensuring Competition for Seed and Crop Protection Products |
| Resolution #3 | Incorporating Agriculture and Agri-Food Education in the Classroom |
| Emergent Resolution ER 1 | Carbon Levy Exemption on Natural Gas and Propane for all recognized Agricultural Production |
| Emergent Resolution ER 2 | Agricultural Disaster Policy - DEFEATED |
| Emergent Resolution ER 3 | Eradication of Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis Prevalent in Bison within and surrounding Wood Buffalo National Park |
Resolution #1 - Vegetation Management on Alberta Provincial Highways
Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
The Government of Alberta delivers a more effective maintenance program for vegetation management (weed control and mowing) along the primary and secondary highways in the province
Further therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
The Government of Alberta deliver a more effective vegetation management plan on all primary and secondary highways to control noxious weeds, prohibited noxious weeds and any unsafe vegetation on the full right of way. This plan should include but not be limited to an appropriately timed herbicide application in order to control all legislated weeds and mowing of the full right of way at a time that limits the spread of weed seeds
Further therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
Alberta Transportation gives the option in all districts of the province to enter into Service Agreements with municipalities for weed control
Response:
Alberta Transportation
I value the relationship between the Agricultural Service Boards and Alberta Transportation, and I share the Board's wish to collaborate on addressing weed growth in the provincial highway rights-of-way.
In response to stakeholder concerns, Alberta Transportation has restored funding for vegetation control and mowing, starting in spring 2017. Through recent discussions with your association, Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties, and Alberta Transportation, we have worked together to identify a comprehensive and mutually agreeable vegetation management control plan.
In the 2017-18 fiscal year, the department is planning:
- Chemical vegetation control:
- All class highways: one full right-of-way spray every four years
- All class highways: one per cent of total hectares reactive spraying for prohibited noxious weeds annually and/or localized noxious weed concerns. Mowing may be completed instead of spraying if appropriate
- Mowing:
- Class 1A highway: one full-width right-of-way cut and one shoulder cut annually
- Class 1B highway: one full-width right-of-way cut every four years and one shoulder cut annually
- Class 2 and 3 highways: one full-width right-of-way cut every four years and one shoulder cut annually
In addition to restoring funding for vegetation control and mowing in spring 2017, Alberta Transportation districts will arrange to meet with the respective Agricultural Fieldmen and/or other municipality representatives prior to the growing season to discuss vegetation control plans. The discussion should include the mowing and chemical vegetation and control plans and locations of the planned activities; how to manage reactive weed control, including communication between Alberta Transportation and the municipalities; and specific locations where there may be concerns requiring special consideration or that may fall outside the vegetation control guidelines.
Regarding your request for the option of the province entering into service agreements with municipalities for weed control work will be directly through the highway maintenance contractors, with the exception of Special Areas. Work will not be directly contracted with the municipalities; however, if the highway maintenance contractor and the municipality are in agreement and approval is granted by Alberta Transportation, the municipality may be able to perform the vegetation management. The chemical vegetation control budget will be provided to Alberta Transportation districts; however, if there is mutual agreement between Alberta Transportation and the Agricultural Fieldmen/municipality, the chemical budget may be used to fund mowing activities.
Should you have further questions regarding proactive vegetation control along provincial highways, please contact Mr. Paul Buryn, Operations Manager. Mr. Buryn can be reached toll-free at 310-0000, then 780-968-4218, or at paul.buryn@gov.ab.ca.
Alberta Environment and Parks
Honourable Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation, will address Resolution 1: Vegetation Management on Alberta Provincial Highways in a separate letter, as this topic falls under the purview of his Ministry.
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
The Weed Control Act defines the regulation of noxious and prohibited noxious weeds, which includes responsibility for weed control along provincial highways. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry communicates that responsibility to all land managers/owners, including government departments that manage land, to ensure regulated weeds are actively controlled and land managers/owners are in compliance with their legislative requirements.
Agriculture and Forestry understands that the Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen discussed concerns regarding weed control along provincial highways with Alberta Transportation at its September 9, 2016 meeting with the AAAF executive, and Transportation has reviewed their management of weed control along highways.
For further information:
- Paul Buryn, Operations Manager, Alberta Transportation, paul.buryn@gov.ab.ca or 780-968-4218 (toll-free by dialing 310-0000 first).
Resolution #2 - Ensuring Competition for Seed and Crop Protection Products
Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
That Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada work cooperatively to ensure a merger between Bayer and Monsanto is prevented
Response:
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
The purchase of Monsanto by Bayer has elicited widespread concern about market consolidation in the canola and crop protection sectors. Section 90.1 of the Government of Canada Competition Act is intended to ensure that competition is not substantially prevented or lessened as a result of mergers or acquisitions, and is aimed at preventing anti-competitive practices in the marketplace.
The federal Competition Bureau has primary jurisdiction over mergers and acquisitions, as it is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Competition Act. The Competition Bureau usually consults widely with government and industry stakeholders when it conducts its reviews of mergers and acquisitions.
With respect to the Bayer Monsanto merger, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry shares concerns similar to those expressed by the Agricultural Service Board and other industry stakeholders. In October 2016, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry met with Competition Bureau representatives and discussed the potential impact of the Bayer Monsanto merger. Representing industry stakeholders, the Canadian Canola Growers Association has also met with Competition Bureau representatives and is currently preparing a submission to the Competition Bureau, with a focus on the potential impact of the merger on canola producers.
For further information:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
With respect to Resolution 2 regarding the Bayer-Monsanto merger, under the Competition Act, mergers are reviewed by the Competition Bureau to determine whether they will likely result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition. The Competition Bureau is an independent agency responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Competition Act.
Generally speaking, as part of its merger review process, the Competition Bureau may contact affected parties, relevant agencies/departments, industry associations, suppliers, etc. to determine the impact of the potential merger. The Competition Bureau also regularly co-operates with other international enforcement partners in order to increase the effectiveness and efficiencies of merger reviews that have international implications. This collaboration also has benefits for the merging parties, creating certainty over legal treatment and expediency of the reviews in numerous jurisdictions.
Given the role of the Competition Bureau and its responsibilities under the Competition Act, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is not in a position to comment on its review of the proposed Bayer-Monsanto merger. For more information on the Competition Bureau and its review process, please refer to its website, at www.competitionbureau.gc.ca.
Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada
It is important to provide you with some background information as it relates to: (1) the Competition Tribunal; (2) the Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada (the "ATSSC"); and (3) the Commissioner of Competition.
First, the Competition Tribunal is a specialized economic tribunal that adjudicates cases that arise under the civil provisions of the Competition Act (the "Act") and which are predominantly initiated through a filing of a Notice of Application by the Commissioner of Competition.1
To be clear, the Competition Tribunal is strictly an adjudicative body that operates independently and at arm's length from the Government of Canada and its departments, including the Commissioner of Competition. This also applies equally to provincial governments and their respective departments.
Secondly, the ATSSC is the federal department responsible for providing support services to eleven federal administrative tribunals, including the Competition Tribunal. As such, ATSSC-staff provide legal and registry support services to the Competition Tribunal but have no adjudicative or investigatory functions.
Lastly, the Commissioner of Competition is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Act and carries out such responsibilities and related investigations with the support of the staff at the Competition Bureau.
Therefore, neither the Competition Tribunal nor the ATSSC can be part of the initiative contemplated in your resolution.
Since the Commissioner of Competition is the primary investigator of complaints under the Act, it may be worthwhile for you and your organization to raise your concerns with the Commissioner of Competition using the following link:
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/frm-eng/GH%C3%89T-7SEN3J
1 Section 103.1 of the Act foes also allow a private party to seek leave of the Competition Tribunal to bring an application for relief under three specific sections of the Act:s.75 (Refusal to Deal), s.76 (Price Maintenance) and s.77 (Exclusive Dealing, Tied Selling and Market Restrictions). However, in such cases, the jurisdiction of the Competition Tribunal is not engaged until an application for leave is filed with theTribunal pursuant to section 103.1 of the Act.
Resolution #3 - Incorporating Agriculture and Agri-Food Education in the Classroom
Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
That the Minister of Education, during the pending review of the Alberta School Curriculum, include agriculture and agri-food and its importance to Canadians as part of the new curriculum at elementary, junior high and high schools levels
Further therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
That Alberta Education and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry increase the amount of time spent in the school curriculum to discuss food and agriculture
Further therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
That Alberta Education and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry create a panel of Agricultural and Nutrition experts to create the curriculum that will be taught in Alberta classrooms
Response:
Alberta Education
Our government is committed to ensuring that all students are provided with an education that enriches their lives and prepares them for success. Alberta students deserve the best education we can deliver, and we will strive to ensure our education system is one we can be proud of.
Agriculture is a vitally important industry in Alberta, and there are many opportunities for students to learn about agriculture in our current Science and Social Studies programs of study. Students may also learn about agriculture through optional programming in Career and Technology Foundations, Career and Technology Studies, and Green Certificate and Dual Credit programs.
As you know, our government is looking ahead to the future and working to ensure that provincial curriculum continues to give all students the best possible start in life and enables them to meet the demands of living in the 2lst century. We are working to create new Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) provincial curriculum in six subject areas over the next six years: Language Arts (English, French, Francais), Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Arts and Wellness Education. This will allow us to build better connections across subjects.
A number of other education stakeholders are involved in the process, including the Alberta Teacher's Association, the Alberta School Boards Association, the College of Alberta School Superintendents, the Association of Alberta Deans of Education and the Alberta School Councils' Association. We are also seeking input throughout the development process from a broad range of Albertans with an interest in K-12 education, including teachers, post-secondary institution professors and instructors, parents, and representatives from business and industry.
Curriculum Working Groups have been established to develop draft provincial curriculum content for Alberta Education's consideration. School authorities and post-secondary institutions in Alberta were invited to nominate staff with expertise within subjects and across grades. These groups are currently in the process of drafting a subject introduction and a scope and sequence in each subject area.
As part of the many opportunities for Albertans to provide input into our provincial curriculum development work, Alberta Education posted on its website an opportunity for non-profit organizations to make 15-minute presentations to one or more working groups of their choice. We are pleased that 39 non-profit organizations responded to this opportunity and made presentations on topics of interest related to future curriculum content development.
Opportunities for future involvement will continue to be posted on the Alberta Education website at https://education.alberta.ca/curriculum-development. Should you wish to meet directly with Education ministry staff to discuss opportunities for agriculture and agri-food in future curriculum, you may contact Caroline Nixon, Senior Manager, K-12 Sciences and Biology, by phone at 78-422-3219 (toll free in Alberta by first dialing 310-0000) or by email at caroline.nixon@gov.ab.ca.
Thank you for writing to express your interest in the curriculum development process. I encourage you and your board members to participate in the opportunities being made available for all Albertans to contribute to this important work.
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
There are currently several entry points for agriculture to be integrated into the Alberta school curriculum. Alberta offers the Green Certificate program for high school students, whereby students can gain an industry certification while earning high school credits in a variety of agriculture areas including cow/calf operations, equine, pig, greenhouse, and field crops. This program is unique in Canada and serves as a model for other provinces like Saskatchewan.
Through the Career and Technology Studies stream of courses, about 30 different agriculture courses are offered, six of which can be taken through distance education. This is also unique in Canada. These courses are not part of the curriculum development process currently underway and are not slated for significant changes.
In core subjects, there are also currently several entry-points for agriculture to be integrated in the curriculum. Grade 2 Science has a unit on small flying and crawling creatures, where teachers may choose to focus on composting and the role worms play in soil health. Grade 4 has a strong focus on both plants in science, and agriculture as part of Alberta's culture and history. Alberta's Grade 7 Science unit, Plants for Food and Fibre, is another excellent entry point to teach about modern agriculture. Finally, Health in all grades provides opportunities to discuss healthy eating, and many teachers integrate school gardening and discussions about agriculture into health. In high school, agriculture can be used as an example to support topics like globalization, genetics, and climate change.
One of the best ways to ensure agriculture is brought to life for students in the existing and future curriculum is for external organizations to offer high quality curricular-linked agriculture programs and resources that meet teacher needs. Classroom Agriculture Program is one such program. There are also many other programs and resources available from groups like Agriculture for Life, Inside Education, Agriculture in the Classroom, The Reynolds Museum, Stony Plain Multicultural Heritage Centre, Northlands, Calgary Stampede, and the many commodity groups. Industry support for these programs is essential for them to continue and to expand.
Agricultural Service Boards can review Alberta Education's opportunities for the public to engage in the curriculum development process. As the new curriculum is rolled out in classrooms, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry's agriculture education consultant is able to work with industry groups to create and adapt programs to ensure they align with the new curriculum.
For further information:
Emergent Resolution #1 - Carbon Levy Exemption on Natural Gas and Propane for all recognized Agricultural Production
Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
That the Government of Alberta provide farmers and grain elevators with a carbon levy exemption certificate on natural gas and propane for all recognized agricultural production
Response:
Alberta Environment and Parks
Farmers must currently pay the appropriate carbon levy rate for any purchases of natural gas or propane which are not covered by any of the exemptions listed in Part 1, Division 1, Section 8(4) or Part 1, Division 3, Section 15(1) of Bill 20 Climate Leadership Implementation Act, respectively.
There are several existing Government of Alberta initiatives and programs offered through Energy Efficiency Alberta (www.efficiencyalberta.ca) and Agriculture and Forestry (www.agric.gov.ab.ca) which would apply to grain drying, in addition to those noted in the resolution background information:
Emergent Resolution #2 - Agricultural Disaster Policy - DEFEATED AT ASB PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE IN JANUARY, 2017
Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
That Alberta Agriculture and Forestry create an agricultural disaster policy that will allocate funding from provincial and federal governments to be addressed in addition to the existing programs by producers in the event of an agricultural disaster
Emergent Resolution #3 - Eradication of Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis Prevalent in Bison within and surrounding Wood Buffalo National Park
Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
That Alberta Agriculture and Forestry and Parks Canada support the depopulation of diseased wood bison as the only effective tool to successfully eradicate the threat of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis from within and surrounding Wood Buffalo National Park
Further therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards
Urge Alberta Agriculture and Forestry and Parks Canada to develop an effective measurable plan to successfully eradicate all diseased bison from within and surrounding Wood Buffalo National Park in order to prevent further disease outbreaks Province-wide that would inevitably have adverse effects for the National, Provincial and local domestic cattle and beef industries.
Response:
Environment and Climate Change Canada
I understand your concern with regard to the potential for transmission of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis from herds in and around the Park to disease-free wood bison and cattle herds in neighbouring agricultural areas, particularly given the recent detection of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan.
While depopulation of diseased bison herds has been proposed as a solution in the past, it has never received widespread support from all stakeholders and governments. Finding a permanent solution to this issue remains a challenge due to the need to recover wood bison - a threatened species with major cultural significance to Indigenous Peoples and Canadians in general - as well as the need to maintain the ecological integrity of its habitat in Wood Buffalo National Park, while reducing the risk of disease transmission to neighbouring disease-free bison and cattle. I am encouraged to see ongoing co-operation between the federal government and the provinces of Alberta and the Northwest Territories as they explore a full range of options for the development of a long-term solution to the issue.
I anticipate that recent undertakings, including a review of the effectiveness of the buffer zone between Wood Buffalo National Park and the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary, as well as work by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to quantify the risk of disease transmission, will help to inform this process in the management of the issue. One key remaining priority is to ensure the early and full engagement of concerned Indigenous groups in the context of federal and provincial commitments to a renewed relationship with Indigenous Peoples.
For further discussion on this matter, please contact Mr. Jonah Mitchell, Field Unit Superintendent, Southwest Northwest Territories, Parks Canada, at jonah.mitchell@pc.gc.ca or by telephone at 867-872-7943, and Mr. Gilles Seutin, Chief Ecosystem Scientist, Parks Canada, at gilles.seutin@pc.gc.ca or by telephone at 819-420-9269. I trust this information is helpful.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
With respect to Resolution 3, I understand the concern about diseased bison in and around Wood Buffalo National Park. As you know, achieving a long-term solution to this issue will be difficult and will require a significant commitment by all stakeholders, including Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Alberta Environment and Parks, and Parks Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) remains supportive of activities that will mitigate the risk posed by a wildlife reservoir of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis. However, in light of the low degree of risk to livestock, the CFIA's involvement is limited to supporting other lead federal, provincial, and territorial partners by providing veterinary advice/expertise and diagnostic laboratory testing, as required.
I have taken the liberty of forwarding a copy of your correspondence to my colleague the Honourable Catherine McKenna, the federal Minister responsible for Parks Canada, for her consideration.
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
This resolution has identified several key factors that highlight the importance of this issue and the need to eliminate the risk of these diseases spreading from this population. While there is no know link between disease in this northern bison population and the recent detection in Southern Alberta, the current TB investigation in cattle in Southern Alberta has reminded us of the time and resources required for investigations into livestock cases.
We have recently seen progress around Manitoba's Riding Mountain National Park, which may provide valuable insight for future direction with Wood Buffalo National Park. With that said,Manitoba is faced with a much lower prevalence of disease in the wild population, but also a much smaller buffer, and therefore, greater interaction between wildlife and livestock.
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry sees this as an important issue that requires input from a broad range of stakeholders with varying perspectives. In the meantime, there are ongoing surveillance efforts in the area to closely monitor the situation and any potential risks to livestock.
For further information:
- Dr. Keith Lehman, Chief Provincial Veterinarian, keith.lehman@gov.ab.ca or 780-427-3448
Environment and Parks
Alberta is working with the federal government and the Northwest Territories to develop a strategy to eliminate the risk of disease transmission from these bison. This strategy will be developed through a collaborative, consensus-based approach, engaging with Indigenous communities and relevant stakeholders. The draft terms of reference for the committee are currently being reviewed by the Canadian Wildlife Directors Committee.
As noted in the resolution's description, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency conducted a risk assessment of the potential transmission of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis from Wood Buffalo National Park bison to the cattle industry. This assessment concluded that the risk was insignificant, and as such, the prospect of implementing a costly and socially unsupported eradication program is less likely.
Honourable Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation, will address Resolution 1: Vegetation Management on Alberta Provincial Highways in a separate letter, as this topic falls under the purview of his ministry.
Thank you again for writing to share the committee's resolutions. The Agricultural Service Board Provincial Committee remains a valuable stakeholder to the Government of Alberta through the rural engagement of Albertans across the province. |
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