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cow and trespass sign
News

No hearing schedule yet to address Trespass Act changes

Agriculture sector hopeful act won’t be weakened by clarification on regulations

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Although the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act was upheld after a recent constitutional challenge, legal skirmishes to clarify some regulation subsection language have yet to begin. Animal activists challenged the act’s constitutionality in Ontario’s Superior Court, but Judge Markus Koehnen’s April 2 decision upheld it. However, he called into question specific subsection […] Read more
An executive director with the CFIA says the bill in its current wording poses legal risks.
News

Biosecurity bill’s jurisdiction questioned

It’s a provincial, not federal issue says law professor

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Glacier FarmMedia – A constitutional lawyer said a private member’s bill that would penalize those who illegally enter livestock barns is outside federal legislative jurisdiction. Jodi Lazare, associate professor at Dalhousie University’s law school, said the bill that purports to protect biosecurity is actually a trespass bill, and trespass is dealt with by provincial laws. […] Read more
The line between animal activism and bioterrorism can become thin and the threats are increasing over time. These protestors from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals earlier this year in Mexico City didn’t do more than disrupt traffic, but others threaten to do much more damage to farming and food processing.
News

Agro-terrorism threats continue to increase

The line between activism and extremism is crossed once illegal activities begin to affect farmers and the supply chain

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Glacier FarmMedia – Threats to the North American agricultural supply chain can come from a range of bad actors – from international terrorist groups to domestic extremists to organized crime to corporate or academic espionage. The threat landscape has increased over the past 20 years, according to Andrew Rose, a strategic adviser to food and […] Read more
Gabriel Allahdua (centre) is a migrant worker activist who will be working with the U of G’s Grounded Engagement Theory Lab as its first activist-in-residence.
News

Activist gets new post at University of Guelph

Migrant worker proponent first activist-in-residence

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Gabriel Allahdua, a migrant worker activist, is the University of Guelph’s first activist-in-residence at its Grounded and Engagement Theory Lab (GET Lab). “It’s an emerging approach in our areas of study, and our goal is to advance it,” said Monique Deveaux in a U of G release. “We hope to foster community, knowledge sharing and […] Read more
It didn’t take long for the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act to draw a legal challenge.
News

Activists challenge Bill 156 constitutionality

Filings suggest appeal would be based on Charter rights and arrest provisions

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Animal Justice and two co-applicants caused a media stir in March by submitting an application challenging the constitutionality of what they call Ontario’s “ag-gag” law.  The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020, colloquially known as Bill 156, is aimed at deterring activist disruptions of farm and food processors, and closing the gap […] Read more
File photo of a truck and stock trailer on a Canadian roadway. (Ben185/iStock/Getty Images)
Livestock, Machinery

Animal welfare activist dies outside Ontario pork plant

Protestor reportedly hit by transport truck

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An animal welfare activist has died while attending what’s been described as a “vigil” outside a southern Ontario hog packing plant, as new provincial limits on such activity around livestock are set to take effect. Halton Regional Police Service reported receiving a call Friday morning that a person had been “struck by a transport truck” […] Read more
Dairy cow
Livestock, News

Ontario bill restricting barn trespassing approved

Bill 156 increases fines for trespassing into animal production zones

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A bill that increases fines for trespassing onto areas of farms where animals are housed has passed the Ontario legislature. Bill 156 was passed by the legislature June 17. It  also prohibits obtaining employment at a farm under false pretences. Why it matters: There has been an increase in high profile farm invasions by protesters […] Read more
News

Provincial government looking into consumer harassment

More protection from trespassers needed

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Recent trespassers on a Southern Alberta turkey farm continues to raise the question to farmers within Ontario and Canada as to when this type of harassment will be stopped. Ernie Hardeman, Ontario Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs and Premier Doug Ford recently spoke to Farmtario at the Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show about this […] Read more
Editorial: The gaping difference
News

Editorial: The gaping difference

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We’ve known for years that there’s a gaping chasm between the world view of some urbanites and the people who have made it their vocation to care for animals. Luckily for most, that chasm has not been physical. Animal rights activists and livestock farmers haven’t often met. There are some notable exceptions, including activists gaining […] Read more

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