New Ag Minister A Good Choice For Albertans

Jun 28, 2012

Alison Redford Premier of Alberta appointed Verlyn Olson for the Agriculture and Rural Development ministerial portfolio. Olson is a lawyer by trade and has some background in agriculture.

“I know that there would be people that would say, ‘Huh, a lawyer as agricultural minister,’ but my roots are in rural Alberta” says Olson.

Although, not a farmer himself Olson is not far removed from agriculture as his father was a Massey Harris dealer and the majority of his relatives are also farmers. But there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to get up to speed. There are over 600 stakeholder groups that have been competing for his attention. Not only will he have to meet with stakeholder groups but he will also have to connect with primary producers. But Olson isn’t going to let his lack of on-the-farm experience stop him from learning the issues that are important to farmers. Fortunately, his background as a primarily rural-based lawyer will give him a step up on the legal side of agricultural policy. Olson is not only interested in the policy side of agriculture, but has a vision to encourage more young people to get involved in farming and the agricultural industry as a whole.

“I think we do need to engage in that conversation. It’s a pervasive problem. The average of a farmer is getting older. We need to spend time to encourage young people to get into the business” says Olson.

There is a lot that needs to be done so there is no time to be slacking off. The agriculture portfolio will be one to watch in the upcoming months.

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.