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Farmers and ranchers deserve protection

The fall session of the Alberta legislature will include the introduction of a number of new bills, including ones related to domestic abuse and environmental protection.

The fall session of the Alberta legislature will include the introduction of a number of new bills, including ones related to domestic abuse and environmental protection.

One of the most important pieces of legislation coming before MLAs this time around involves the security of farms and ranches, and in particular as it relates to trespassers conducting unlawful animal rights protests.

A recent incident at an Alberta turkey farm, where protesters entered the property, has prompted the provincial government to move forward with the new legislation.

Whether it will deter aggressive animals-rights activists from conducting future protests involving trespassing remains to be seen.

What is known is that farmers and ranchers must be allowed to conduct their lawful business without the fear of being confronted by persons entering their properties in an unlawful way.

For his part, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Doug Schweitzer says farm owners and farm workers will be protected.

“Alberta’s farmers need to have confidence that their government stands with them and will work to keep them safe,” said Schweitzer.

“The measures we are proposing will send a loud and clear message to fanatics that trespassing on farmers’ property to disrupt their ability to operate is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Premier Kenney says his government is determined to protect farmers and ranchers from what he calls “militant trespassers” and is prepared to use provincial legislation to “protect livestock producers’ operations and their families from harassment.”

Like other employers and workers in the province, ranchers and farmers have every right to expect that their health and well-being will be protected from unlawful protests. As such, this new legislation is a good move for the industry.

At the same time, the Kenney government should not take support for farm protection as a green light to try using legislation to ban legitimate, law-abiding protests in this province.

Residents have the constitutional right to free speech, including the right to lawfully protest if and when they believe the government is failing in its duty to represent all Albertans.

- Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor

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