EDMONTON, AB (November 18, 2011): The fining of an Alberta rancher for helping to ship a neighbour’s cattle to auction is a classic example of overregulation interfering in the rural Alberta way of life, Wildrose Agriculture Critic Paul Hinman said.

As reported in the Western Producer, an officer with the Department of Infrastructure recently pulled over local rancher Bill Homans in Fort Macleod and fined him $354 for, as it was explained to him, “not owning the cattle.” Homans had agreed to take some of his neighbour’s cattle with him to auction, a common occurrence among friendly ranchers, Hinman said.

Homans produced all the requisite materials, including a manifest, but was slapped with the fine anyway.

“This is wrong,” Hinman said. “Alberta’s farmers and ranchers have a long and proud tradition in our province, and part of that tradition is helping each other out and watching each other’s backs, when needed. Now, the government is going to punish them for it.”

Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith said Premier Alison Redford owes Homans and the rest of the farming and ranching community an explanation.

“Is punishing farmers and ranchers for being good neighbours really the most productive thing this government can do?” Smith said. “This is a part of a troubling pattern of Ms. Redford’s government to nickel and dime Albertans in the name of bigger government. It couldn’t be more clear that what government needs to do is get out of the way and allow farmers and ranchers to do what they have done best for over a hundred years.”

The Wildrose Caucus stands for free enterprise, less government, increased personal freedom and democracy.

-  30 -

For further information or to arrange an interview, media are invited to contact:

Evan Menzies

Communications Assistant, Wildrose Caucus

Ph: 780-904-4913