Farm Freedom And Safety Act Passed

Dec 06, 2019

Alberta's UCP passed the Farm Freedom and Safety Act this week.

The Legislation was passed Wednesday, December 4 and includes an exemption for small farm employers, takes away ranch and farm workers' ability to form a union, and allows larger employers to choose between coverage through Worker's Compensation Board (WCB) or private insurance for their workers.

In a video posted to Twitter, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Devin Dreeshen, calls it a historic day, saying they finally repealed and replaced the NDP's failed Bill 6.

"This is another example of promise made, promise kept," Dreeshen said.

Upon first reading of the Bill on Wednesday, November 20, the Province said changes to the Labour Relations code affecting unions were in effect.

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Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.