UCP introducing legislation, harsher penalties for farm trespassers
Posted Oct 3, 2019 10:29 am.
Last Updated Oct 3, 2019 1:57 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Alberta’s UCP government is pledging to protect farmers from trespassers and harassment, following an incident last month near Granum.
Premier Jason Kenney spoke at the Jumbo Valley Hutterite Colony Thursday–the same location where animal rights activists protested what they called was the unethical treatment of farm animals.
Kenney said, however, these were not protesters.
“Some people call these activists, I call them anti-farming militants. Not protesters, but trespassers and bullies.”
As a result, Kenney announced the government will introduce legislation to protect farmers and incur harsh penalties against those trespassing on an agricultural property such as farms and Hutterite colonies.
If the legislation is passed, fines of up to $10,000 could be issued along with a potential prison sentence of up to six months.
Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer said the punishment doesn’t stop there.
“This step here of making sure we have a penalty of up to $25,000 for an individual as well as going after the organizations facilitating it, going after them with fines of up to $200,000 as well. We’re going to send a clear signal that property rights are to be respected in the province of Alberta.”
Kenney adds his government wants to put these measures in place as soon as possible to prevent repeat incidents.
“They had a very detailed strategy and indicated that this was not the end but the beginning of future trespassing, harassment actions of that nature. Frankly, that’s why we are laying down the law now.”
