NORTHERN ALBERTA GRAZING ASSOCIATION

Minutes of Annual Meeting - November 30, 2024

Members Present:

Bill Smith, President, Barbara Gaultier(Secretary/Treasurer), Lee Stevenson, Larry

Gaultier, Karl Siemens, Barb Siemens, Leslie Mackie, Ray Marcy, Travis Marcy, Jim Peel, Melvin Bulford, Jason McQuaig, Tony Mitchel, John MacArthur, Neil Hatch, Nathan Hatch, Danny Dorschied, Jamie White, Debbie White, Andrew Airth, Tom Airth, Bobby Bessent, Ryan Bessent, Darren Hawkes, Tom Shaw, Ben Jacobson, Lorne Toews, Melvin Isaac, Tony Isaac, Justin Isaac, George Morrison, Marg & Jim Pearson, Allan Grant & Angie Sanderson, Everett Smith, Morgan Eaton, Danica Trembley, Pat Stark, Sharon Kimble, Beckey Kimble, Kevin Meneice, and Sheldon Tissington.

Government Personnel

Katherine Haugan (VV), Jaime Walker (Fairview), Trevor Floreani (Fairview), Kristen Kendrew (GP), and Dallas Bouma (Peace Region)

Guest Speakers

Cory Grover, Problem Wildlife Officer, MD Greenview

Eldon Pullishy, Fish & Wildlife Officer

Maryellen Buhler and Laurie Gibbons, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation

Meeting was called to order at 1:15 PM. Bill Smith welcomed leaseholders and

guests and asked that members review the minutes of November 30, 2023. There

were no concerns, comments or revisions to the minutes.

MOVED by Jim Peel SECONDED by Lee Stevenson that the minutes be adopted as read.

CARRIED

Treasurer's Report

Barbara Gaultier gave the Treasurer's Report. The balance as of November 30th, 2024 is

$4,575.84. A breakdown of the Bank Balance for 2023-24 is as follows:

Opening Balance from 2023 $5955.66

True balance for N.A.G.A. for 2024 $4,575.84.

A complete Financial Statement for the period of November 30, 2023 to November

30, 2024 was signed and verified by Ray Marcy and Sheldon Tissington.

MOVED by Larry Gaultier to adopt the Treasurer's report and Financial Statement for November 30, 2024. SECONDED by Tom Shaw.

CARRIED

3) Cory Grover, Problem Wildlife Officer, MD Greenview, enlightened the members with an over view of how to identify problem wildlife, their patterns and damage control. He brought various wolf hides for viewing as well as a Rancher's Guide to Predator Attacks on Livestock. Further discussion took place on other predators such as Bears and Cougars, which are dealt with on a damage control permit. Coyotes have a blanket permit.

4) Eldon Pullishy, Fish & Wildlife Officer, followed up on Cory's presentation and acknowledged that Cory was an immense help to their division, in mitigating and managing issues to help leaseholders. Eldon advised their department covers a large area, from Whitecourt, Fox Creek, Valleyview, Spirit River, and Grande Cache. So being short staffed, leaseholders would have a quicker response from an officer if they call Report A Poacher. He further advised if leaseholders came upon a predator kill, to photograph and preserve the evidence with a tarp or as best as one can from further predators, so that the responding officer can investigate, then submit their confirmation for a claim for compensation. He further advised the Hunter surveys for animal harvest rates are not yet tabulated so unable to confirm wildlife management in problem areas, Questions and answers, as well as lengthy discussions on issues with predators and members experiences were graciously addressed by Eldon and Cory.

5) Alberta Forestry & Parks Katherine Haugen (VV) and Jamie Walker (West Fairview) introduced themselves and their staff, Trevor Floreani (East Fairview), Kristen Kendrew (GP) filling in for Jordan Renaud on Mat Leave, and Dallas Bouma (Peace River). Missing is Elisabeth Scheidegger (SR) and James Hedges(GP) who is Team Lead and took over for Debbie Stover after she retired, 43 years as an Agrologist. Katherine and Jamie advised members to fill in their Stock Return Forms, as well as update passwords and if members are experiencing any issues or have questions to call or email them or after the NAGA meeting can set up an appointment. Another option, call your Agrologist for a paper copy or request a PDF attachment or even FAX their return. There is also a website assigned to each Agrologist, so leaseholders can email their Agrologists directly. Trevor Floreani further addressed a concern by a member with respect to Rec Access and Outfitters. Outfitters and Guides are a commercial entity so can be denied access because they do not fall under Recreation Access Regulations.

BREAK FOR COFFEE

6) Alberta Financial Services Corporation, Maryellen Buhler, Lending Relationship Manager and Laurie Gibbons gave a short introduction on the many programs they offer to farmers and ranchers and an overall summary of AFSC, a provincial Crown corporation that provides farmers and agribusinesses with loans, insurance, and farm income stabilization. They advised the members of the programs available to meet their needs, such as the Developing Producers Loan, Alberta Producer Loan, Revolving Loan, Agribusiness Loan, Livestock Price Insurance, AgriStability, Cattle Price Insurance, Drought Livestock Assistance, and the Next Generation Loan Program. Should you require extensive information on any of these programs, Maryellen advised to contact the Grande Prairie Office to make an appointment in order to address your individual needs.

7) AGLA- Due to bad weather and unsafe road conditions Lindsye was unable to attend the NAGA meeting, so submitted a summary to be read. Ray Marcy and Kevin Meniece both Directors of AGLA received and read Lindsye's AGLA update. AGLA (Kyle Forbes) working in conjunction with NAGA(Bill Smith) and 2 leaseholders at large (Bill Newton and Jim Peel) the Recreational Access Regulation Review has taken an immense amount of time on an Advisory Committee to recommend changes without eroding leaseholders rights, with a decision to be made by Minister Todd Lowen by March 31, 2025. She commented on the misunderstanding of leaseholders rights when granting reasonable recreational access and the recreationalists demands. It's an ongoing issue, as the recreationalist is constantly complaining to the Minister. It was recommended that leaseholders use the 310-LAND line the Government has so that there is a record of any access problem and can be followed up. The Minister ordered an inspection Blitz on grazing leases not in compliance or had not submitted a stock return from this year to be completed by Nov 8th. The concern is what the Minister proposes to do with those grazing leases in non-compliance, as this will be a significant loss to beef producers if the leases are cancelled. Furthermore there may be some workings on the Grazing-Timber Integration Manual modernization. The collaborating grazing industry groups (NAGA, WSGA, ABP, Rocky Mountain Forest Range Assoc.) are awaiting some advancement of information on preliminary meetings which started 3 summers ago.

2025 Rental rates have not been released yet but expect another high rental rate formula, because it will be 100% of the new rate.

AGLA is working with Leader Tours, offering a 2 week agri-tour of England and Wales for 2 weeks in July 2025, which includes 12 farm visits. For more information contact Lindsye at the AGLA office and for your renewal of AGLA membership.

8) NAGA Website - Barb Gaultier advised the members that a website has been set up for NAGA this summer and can be accessed as northernalbertagrazing.com. Still a few issues to be resolved but minutes of the AGM, Treasurer's Report, and Directors are currently posted. Eventually hope to reach out to many more leaseholders in Northern Alberta with information valuable and helpful to them.

9) Bill Smith, President, gave a brief update of many meetings attended in Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary in conjunction with AGLA and other stakeholders with respect to Recreational Access Regulations. Bill stressed the importance of NAGA's presence at these meetings, otherwise we are overlooked and our voices go unheard. The defensive position seemed never ending and futile, with a predetermined outcome. A very stressful time, all consuming, and a total disregard for the importance of a Rancher's livelihood, to attend meetings during calving, seeding, haying, harvesting, and corralling cattle for market. It seems we are always defending our position as leaseholders, there's more liability, we are responsible for fire insurance, we pay an annual royalty, pay the taxes, and still there are those who feel entitled to our investments. Hunters and Outfitters want more and are demanding the Minister allow more. A large push for more access was from the hunters regarding the antelope season, which is 5 days long and only in the south, but has sweeping affects across the province and has been confirmed that many are shot within hours of the opening of the hunting season. We've met with the Minister Nolan Dyck to educate him on how important Grazing Leases are for the Beef Industry. As well, for him to be better informed when the Rec Access Amendment is brought forward for a vote by Cabinet. Another issue we are concerned with is a Federal Government Bill C293(Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness) whereas the Federal Government can appoint a National Coordinator to have discretionary and arbitrary power to shut down Agricultural facilities, restrict producers, processors and consumers, in a situation they deem "pandemic". A response was sent to the Senators in Ottawa, as this Bill has already passed it's 3rd reading, by the MD of Greenview, NAGA, and the County of Grande Prairie.

In other business, we have a few Directors whose term is up for renewal and one vacant. Lee Stevenson and Sheldon Tissington agreed to continue as Directors for one more term.

Larry Gaultier Nominated Everett Smith for Director. Nominations ceased,

CARRIED

No further business or concerns to be addressed. MOVED to adjourn the meeting. Meeting Adjourned at 3:40 PM