Alberta government dissolves Agriculture Financial Service Corporation board

Jun 15, 2016

Members were abusing expense privileges

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Alberta’s provincial government removed the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) board of directors and suspended three other senior executives. The move came after an anonymous tip in November led to an investigation which showed the abuse of expense privileges and the acceptance of gifts, according to CBC.

AFSC

CBC identified the three other senior executives as: president and managing director Brad Klak, chief operating officer Merle Jacobson, and vice president of innovation and product development Wayne McDonald.

According to an audit by Alberta’s chief internal auditor, there were many expense claims they deemed unnecessary to performing work duties, including:

$19,144 paid to a consultant for a 25 per cent share of Edmonton Oilers luxury box tickets for 10 games in 2011. A receipt for the $664.54 AFSC paid for food was not provided and an attendance list wasn’t available.
$5,108 for a dinner in Tokyo in 2011, hosting the Alberta Government representative in Japan.
$880 for Red Deer Rebels hockey tickets in 2011.
$1,071 in hosting at Edmonton Country Club in 2012.

“The auditor’s report is a difficult and unsettling read. I am troubled by these findings,” Alberta Minister of Agriculture Oneil Carlier said at a press conference. He added the findings reveal a culture of entitlement that won’t be tolerated.

Video: Season 6, Episode 10: Defining Resiliency and the Research Driving Swine Health Forward

Genetic research and new technologies continue to influence the future of swine health and production efficiency. In this episode, we explore how research and technology are being used to support stronger, more resilient pigs, while also improving overall production outcomes. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jenelle Dunkelberger, geneticist with Topigs Norsvin, to discuss both routine and emerging strategies for improving piglet, pig, and sow livability. She outlines two primary approaches to enhancing resiliency: gene editing and traditional selective breeding. Continuing the resiliency conversation, we also hear from Dr. Lucina Galina, director of technical research projects at the Pig Improvement Company. She shares insights into ongoing gene-editing work focused on PRRS, detailing the pathway to success, regulatory and practical considerations, and the questions that still remain as the technology evolves. Together, these conversations provide a closer look at how research, genetics and innovation are shaping the future of swine health and livability.