August 25, 2026
Honourable Tara Sawyer
Minister of Agriculture & Irrigation
131 Legislature Building
Edmonton, AB
Via email: AGRIC.Minister@gov.ab.ca
Dear Honourable Ms. Sawyer,
On behalf of Team Alberta Crops (TAC), we would like to share with you the policy input (included) that TAC and its
member organizations have advanced through the Phase II Water Availability Engagement process undertaken by
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas in 2025 and in subsequent discussions with government. These changes are
important to crop producers across Alberta. They would support responsible water management while strengthening
the long-term viability of our sector.
Team Alberta Crops represents Alberta’s crop and beekeeping sectors through seven producer organizations whose
members steward more than 20 million cultivated acres across the province. Producers continue to face increasing
pressures related to excess moisture, variable weather conditions, and rising production costs. In this context,
modernizing Alberta’s approach to agricultural water management remains one of the most important policy
priorities for our sector.
TAC has consistently advocated for practical changes that would enable farmers to undertake low impact agricultural
activities within ephemeral, temporary, and seasonal wetlands on private agricultural land without the requirement
for Water Act approvals or wetland replacement obligations.
In our Phase II Water Engagement submission to government, we articulated producers’ concerns with the current
regulatory framework. We also provided recommendations to reduce barriers to responsible water management
while maintaining Alberta’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Specifically, TAC recommended revising the
treatment of ephemeral, temporary, and seasonal wetlands on private agricultural land to allow farmers to undertake
low impact agricultural activities without unnecessary approvals or wetland replacement requirements.
Since that submission, TAC and its member organizations have worked with Minister Grant Hunter and officials within
the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas to advance these discussions. We appreciate the willingness of the
Minister and department staff to engage with producers and better understand the practical realities facing farmers
across Alberta.
Our position remains the same. We feel farmers, as stewards of the land, should be able to conduct low impact
activities such as seeding, cultivation, spraying, harvesting, and routine water management within ephemeral,
temporary, and seasonal wetlands on private agricultural land without being subject to unnecessary regulatory
approvals and replacement requirements. We are not seeking changes to the treatment of semi-permanent or
permanent wetlands. Rather, we are seeking a balanced, risk-based approach that recognizes both the stewardship
role of farmers and the economic realities of agricultural production. This approach would allow government
resources to be focused on protecting wetlands with the highest ecological value. It would also reduce regulatory
burden for routine activities that have minimal environmental impact.
As Alberta’s farmers continue to provide food, fuel, and economic growth for the province, they require practical
tools to manage water on working agricultural landscapes. We believe the recommendations put forward by TAC
would support agricultural productivity, improve water management outcomes, reduce regulatory uncertainty, and
strengthen producer confidence. These outcomes can be achieved while maintaining strong environmental
protections.
We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and your staff to discuss these recommendations in greater
detail and answer any questions you may have regarding the concerns and priorities of Alberta’s farmers.
Thank you for your continued leadership and commitment to Alberta’s agriculture sector. We look forward to
continuing to work collaboratively with you on policies that support both agricultural productivity and responsible
stewardship of our shared natural resources.
Sincerely,
(Original signed by)
Alison Davie, Chair, Potato Growers of Alberta
Andre Harpe, Chair, Alberta Canola
Curtis Miedema, Chair, Alberta Beekeepers Comission
Darren Klemen, Chair, Alberta Sugar Beet Growers
Sarah Weigum, Chair, Alberta-BC Seed Growers
Scott Jespersen, Chair, Alberta Grains
Will Muller, Chair, Alberta Pulse Growers
CC: Darby Crouch, darby.crouch@gov.ab.ca
Team Alberta Crops is a collaboration between seven of Alberta’s producer groups: Alberta Beekeepers Commission, Alberta Canola, Alberta Grains, Alberta Pulse Growers, Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers, Alberta Sugar Beet Growers and the Potato Growers of Alberta. We work together to advance grass-roots policy and advocate on behalf of Alberta’s crop and beekeeping sectors.