An external panel led by former Calgary police chief Rick Hanson will review food safety in kitchens that provide food in licensed child-care facilities across Alberta and make recommendations on how to better protect children.

Sep 27, 2023

Following the E. coli outbreak in Calgary, Premier Danielle Smith directed Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange and Minister of Children and Family Services Searle Turton to conduct a full assessment on this outbreak. Both ministers will work with the panel to find ways to strengthen legislation and inspection processes that govern food safety in food establishments serving licensed, child-care facilities.

The panel will also include (to a maximum of six members):

parents
licensed facility-based child-care operators
food service operators
food safety and public health experts

“I am so pleased to hear that more children are recovering from E. coli. During the past weeks, our attention has been focused on their health and on the investigation into the outbreak. Now, we must begin our work to ensure that Alberta children and families never experience something like this again. I appreciate Rick Hanson’s support in chairing this panel and I look forward to receiving their report and recommendations.”

Click here to see more...

Video: California Farm Bureau 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Contest Winner - Willy - CAFB 107th Annual Meeting

Meet Willy: California Farm Bureau’s 2025 Farm Dog of the Year!

We’re excited to introduce Willy, a miniature long-haired dachshund with a big heart and even bigger courage, and the Grand Prize winner of this year’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest!

Willy may be small, but he’s become an indispensable partner on owner Marshal Hagedorn’s forestry and cattle operations in Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou counties. Adopted in 2023, he quickly found his place on the ranch, helping manage critters, tagging along for long days in the woods, and offering unwavering companionship during demanding logging work.

Willy has even taken naturally to moving cattle, surprising calves (and more than a few full-grown cows!) with his burst of energy from the tall grass. As Marshal put it: “He goes with me everywhere every single day.”

Congratulations to Willy and his family, a perfect example of how every good farm dog, no matter the size, helps keep California agriculture running strong.