The imminent reset of Bill C-275 could be a positive development for livestock producers, as controversial amendments will be scrapped and the legislation will return to square one.
Tag Archives trespassing
Livestock health bill could receive second chance
New government could reintroduce a bill amending the Health of Animals Act
No hearing schedule yet to address Trespass Act changes
Agriculture sector hopeful act won’t be weakened by clarification on regulations
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
Court battle begins over Ontario law banning hidden-camera farm investigations
Legal challenge to law begins Monday, October 30
The lawsuit brought against the province of Ontario over its so-called ‘ag-gag’ law by activist organization Animal Justice goes to trial on Monday Oct. 30. The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 was developed to deter activist disruptions of farm and food processors, and closed the gap in previous laws to protect […] Read more
OMAFRA addresses Aboriginal and Treaty Rights within Trespass Act for farmers
Webinar clarifies misunderstandings as well as need for better police awareness of the Act
A new factsheet aims to clarify any misunderstandings around Aboriginal and Treaty Rights within the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 (SFTPFSA). “The factsheets were developed as part of the consultation process,” said Scott Duff, director of economic development policy with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). “We […] Read more
Editorial: The thorny issue of people on your land
There are more people roaming around rural Ontario during the pandemic and that’s increased concerns about trespassing and trash that finds its way onto farms. We live on a corner property and one of the side roads that runs along our farm is a no-winter-maintenance road. Early in the pandemic it became a magnet for […] Read more
Activists challenge Bill 156 constitutionality
Filings suggest appeal would be based on Charter rights and arrest provisions
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
Bill 156 sees court challenge from animal activist groups
Special farmland provisions not new in law
Last year’s passage of the Security of Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act granted special protection to many Ontario livestock producers, but as attendees at the recent 2021 London Farm Show were reminded, it’s nothing new for farmland to be singled out under the law. Nonetheless, several provisions of the new law, Bill 156, are […] Read more
Provincial trespassing bills watched by federal minister
Farmers should not be threatened for feeding Canadians, says minister
Glacier FarmMedia – At least four provinces have strengthened or are looking to strengthen their trespassing legislation, but the federal government said it will look to support producers in other ways. “It has to be done at the provincial level, but I’m following it closely because this is something that I care about,” said Minister […] Read more
Editorial: Living in 2020’s tornado alley
We didn’t know we would be in one of Ontario’s tornado alleys when we moved a short 10-minute drive south of our previous home more than a decade ago. But two tornados within seven kilometres of our farm in the past three months has my family more vigilant during hot and sultry days when a […] Read more
Ontario bill restricting barn trespassing approved
Bill 156 increases fines for trespassing into animal production zones
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