Grainswest - Fall 2023

Fall 2023 grainswest.com 19 BY ELLEN COTTEE • ILLUSTRATION BY EMILY CHU Frustrated farmers turn to provincial advocate for assistance The answer man E stablished by the Government of Alberta in 1973 to help farmers protect their rights in dealings with the booming oil and gas industry of the day, the Farmers’ Advocate Office (FAO) has been greatly expanded from its original mandate. The office later merged with the Property Rights Advocate office and is now known as the Farmers’ and Property Rights Advocate Offices (FPRAO). Its modest team supports farmers and ranchers as they navigate a range of regulatory, environmental and legal issues. Now in its 50th year of operation, the organization’s lead role is held by Peter Dobbie. The University of Alberta educated lawyer relocated from Edmonton to Vegreville in the early ’90s where he worked with a law firm until he joined the FAO in 2012. Though he had only minimal farm experience in his youth and happens to be allergic to most livestock, Dobbie has become the respected face of this indispensable and nationally unique agricultural agency. GrainsWest: How did you transition from a career in law to your role as Alberta farmers’ advocate, and how does your law background help you in this position? Peter Dobbie: I always say it’s my wife’s fault I have the job. She said, “Hey, take a look at this ad for the Farmers’ Advocate. It seems like it’s right up your alley.” She was right. I’m the first lawyer who has filled this role. And that’s been helpful for the team to be able to quickly get answers and insight into problems, rather than trying to get information and explanations through Alberta Justice. It’s a little tougher to get an opinion from a big organization. GW: What kind of issues cross your desk, and how do you deal with them? PD: A big part of what we do is mediation, because almost all phone calls start with someone being unhappy. We are often sweeping the road of frustrations for farmers and ranchers. Knowing you have a right to a remedy is one thing, but getting there can be difficult and frustrating. A common area where problems arise is in the interaction be- tween municipal governments and/or the provincial government and farm operations. There might be new construction, issues with water or changes in municipal bylaws that affect the ability