Alberta Regulation 171/2018 Marketing of Agricultural Products Act POTATO GROWERS OF ALBERTA PLEBISCITE REGULATION Filed: September 21, 2018 For information only: Made by the Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council on September 5, 2018 and approved by the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (M.O. 036/2018) on September 19, 2018 pursuant to section 25(3) of the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act. Table of Contents 1 Definitions 2 Plebiscite 3 Criteria for plebiscite 4 Voting 5 Voting by proxy 6 Returning officer 7 Declaration of plebiscite 8 Information sessions 9 Registration 10 Holding of plebiscite 11 Scrutineers 12 Polling stations 13 Ballot count 14 Reporting results 15 Recount 16 Contesting a matter 17 Audit 18 Destruction of ballots 19 Substantial compliance 20 Expiry Definitions 1(1) In this Regulation, (a) 2018 crop year means the period between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018; (b) Act means the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act; (c) area meeting means an area meeting as described in section 27 of the Potato Growers of Alberta Plan Regulation (AR 291/2002); (d) date of the plebiscite means November 15, 2018; - 736 -
AR 171/2018 (e) Department means the department under the Minister responsible for the Act; (f) eligible producer means a producer who is described in section 3(1)(a); (g) non-refundable, in respect of a service charge, means not to be refunded; (h) Plan means the Plan continued by the Potato Growers of Alberta Plan Regulation (AR 291/2002); (i) plebiscite means a plebiscite that is conducted pursuant to this Regulation; (j) polling station means a place where an eligible producer or a person appointed as a proxy for an eligible producer votes in the plebiscite in person; (k) refundable, in respect of a service charge, means refundable in whole or in part at a producer s request; (l) regulated product means potatoes; (m) scrutineer means a person appointed as a scrutineer under section 11; (n) service charge means a service charge that is paid to the Commission by or on behalf of a producer. (2) Words defined in the Act or the Plan have the same meaning when used in this Regulation. Plebiscite 2 The Council shall conduct a plebiscite to determine whether the service charges that are payable to the Commission should be (a) non-refundable, or (b) refundable. Criteria for plebiscite 3(1) For the purpose of the plebiscite, (a) an eligible producer is a person who (i) is a licensed producer during the 2018 crop year, and - 737 -
AR 171/2018 (ii) is an individual or an individual representing a partnership, a corporation or an organization that is not a partnership or a corporation, (b) a sufficient number of eligible producers is not less than 35% of the total number of eligible producers on the date of the plebiscite, and (c) a sufficient portion of the regulated product is not less than 50% of the total amount of the regulated product that is marketed or that is capable of being produced during the 2018 crop year. (2) For the purpose of the plebiscite, a partnership, a corporation or an organization that is not a partnership or a corporation may have only one individual as a representative. Voting 4(1) An eligible producer or a person appointed as a proxy under section 5 may vote in the plebiscite. (2) Subject to section 5(3), an eligible producer or a person appointed as a proxy may vote only once in the plebiscite. (3) A person who holds more than one licence issued by the Commission may vote only once in the plebiscite. Voting by proxy 5(1) An eligible producer may appoint a person as a proxy to vote on the eligible producer s behalf if (a) the person to be appointed as a proxy is 18 years of age or older, and (b) the eligible producer submits a proxy form to the returning officer at least 2 days before the date of the plebiscite. (2) A person may not be appointed as a proxy for more than one eligible producer in respect of the plebiscite. (3) If a person appointed as a proxy is also an eligible producer, the person is entitled to vote in the person s own right as an eligible producer and on behalf of the eligible producer who appointed the person as a proxy. - 738 -
AR 171/2018 Returning officer 6(1) The Council shall appoint a returning officer for the purpose of the plebiscite. (2) For the purpose of the plebiscite, the returning officer may appoint deputy returning officers and poll clerks to act on behalf of the returning officer. (3) The returning officer shall (a) set the form of the ballot and other plebiscite documents, (b) arrange for the printing of ballots and other plebiscite documents, (c) obtain from the Commission (i) a complete list of the names and addresses of the licensed producers who produced the regulated product during the 2018 crop year, and (ii) the total amount of the regulated product that was marketed or that was capable of being produced during the 2018 crop year, (d) when satisfied as to the accuracy and completeness of the list obtained under clause (b), adopt the list as the voters list, (e) make available to every person on the voters list a plebiscite voting package that contains and (i) a letter of explanation, (ii) the voting procedure, (iii) a ballot, (iv) a proxy form, and (v) any other documents that the returning officer considers appropriate, (f) at the Commission s annual meeting at Enoch, Alberta, establish a polling station on the date of the plebiscite, so that eligible producers or their appointed proxies may register, receive ballots and cast ballots. - 739 -
AR 171/2018 (4) The returning officer may issue directions and take other actions that the returning officer considers necessary for the proper conduct of the plebiscite. Declaration of plebiscite 7(1) The Council shall declare the holding of the plebiscite at least 15 days before the date of the plebiscite. (2) The declaration must contain the following information: (a) the plebiscite question; (b) the means by which information and documents respecting the matter to be voted on may be obtained; (c) the date, time and location of each polling station at which voting will take place; (d) the voting procedures. (3) The declaration must be (a) published on the Department s website and the Commission s website, and (b) sent to the last known physical or electronic address of each eligible producer in the records of the Commission. Information sessions 8(1) At each area meeting between October 22, 2018 and October 24, 2018, the Commission shall conduct an information session for the purpose of informing eligible producers of the matter to be voted on in the plebiscite and the plebiscite voting procedures. (2) The returning officer shall publicize the date, time and location of each information session. Registration 9(1) For the purpose of the plebiscite, an eligible producer is voluntarily registered with the Council if (a) the returning officer verifies the eligible producer s identity in accordance with subsection (3), (b) the returning officer is satisfied that the eligible producer s name appears on the voters list, and - 740 -
AR 171/2018 (c) the eligible producer signs for and receives a ballot from the returning officer not later than 3:00 p.m. on the date of the plebiscite. (2) Despite subsection (1), an eligible producer who has appointed a person as a proxy under section 5 is voluntarily registered with the Council if (a) the returning officer verifies the proxy s identity in accordance with subsection (3), (b) the returning officer is satisfied that the eligible producer who has appointed the proxy and (i) is on the voters list, and (ii) has submitted a proxy form to the returning officer, (c) the proxy signs for and receives a ballot from the returning officer not later than 3:00 p.m. on the date of the plebiscite. (3) An eligible producer or a person appointed as a proxy must produce to the returning officer proof of the identity and current address of the eligible producer or the proxy in the form of (a) one piece of identification issued by a Canadian government, whether federal, provincial or local, or an agency of that government, that contains the name and the current address of the eligible producer or the proxy and a photograph of the eligible producer or the proxy, or (b) 2 pieces of identification authorized by the returning officer each of which contain the name of the eligible producer or the proxy and at least one of which establishes the current address of the eligible producer or the proxy. Holding of plebiscite 10 The Council shall be considered to have caused a plebiscite to have been held, and the returning officer must, subject to this Regulation, count the ballots cast in the plebiscite, if (a) a sufficient number of eligible producers as prescribed under section 3(1)(b) have voluntarily registered with the Council under section 9, and (b) the eligible producers who have registered with the Council under section 9 are collectively capable of producing a - 741 -
AR 171/2018 sufficient portion of the regulated product as prescribed under section 3(1)(c). Scrutineers 11(1) The returning officer may appoint one or more scrutineers to observe the plebiscite process at a polling station while the poll is open for voting. (2) An eligible producer who wishes to become a scrutineer shall apply to the returning officer at least 7 days before the date of the plebiscite. (3) The returning officer shall establish a code of conduct for scrutineers. (4) A scrutineer shall comply with the code of conduct, and a scrutineer who fails to comply with the code of conduct may be removed from the polling station. Polling stations 12 The following persons may be present at a polling station while the poll is open for voting: (a) the returning officer; (b) the deputy returning officer; (c) the poll clerk; (d) any eligible producers intending to vote; (e) any proxies intending to vote; (f) a representative of the Council; (g) a representative of the Commission; (h) any scrutineers appointed under section 11 by the returning officer in respect of the polling station; (i) a person who is present at the request of the returning officer or the deputy returning officer to maintain order in the polling station. Ballot count 13(1) The returning officer shall, after 3:30 p.m. on the date of the plebiscite, open the ballot box and count the ballots in the presence of - 742 -
AR 171/2018 at least 2 other persons, one of whom represents the Council and one of whom represents the Commission. (2) The returning officer must reject any ballot (a) that is received after 3:30 p.m. on the date of the plebiscite, (b) that has not been supplied by the returning officer, (c) that, in the opinion of the returning officer, does not clearly indicate the voter s choice, or (d) that, in the opinion of the returning officer, appears to have been tampered with. (3) A scrutineer may be present while the ballots are being counted, with the prior approval of the returning officer. Reporting results 14(1) The returning officer shall (a) announce the results of the vote prior to the close of the meeting on the date of the plebiscite, and (b) report the results of the vote to the Minister, the Council and the Commission within one day after the ballots have been counted. (2) The Council shall publish the results of the vote on the Council s website within 3 days after the returning officer reports the results under subsection (1). Recount 15(1) The returning officer shall conduct a recount if there is a difference in the result of the plebiscite of less than 1%. (2) The recount shall be conducted by the returning officer as soon as is practicable. (3) A scrutineer may be present during the recount with the prior approval of the returning officer. (4) The returning officer shall report the results of the recount to the Minister, the Council and the Commission within one day after the recount is conducted. - 743 -
AR 171/2018 (5) The Council shall publish the results of the recount on the Council s website within 3 days after the returning officer reports the results under subsection (4). Contesting a matter 16(1) An eligible producer who is on the voters list may apply in writing to the returning officer to contest (a) the eligibility of a voter, (b) any matter relating to a ballot or the ballot count, or (c) any irregularity with respect to the conduct of the plebiscite. (2) An application to contest a matter under subsection (1) must be made to the returning officer by November 29, 2018. (3) Within 7 days after receiving an application, the returning officer shall consider the matter and may (a) declare the plebiscite to be proper and the question decided if, in the opinion of the returning officer, there is no basis for the application, (b) declare the plebiscite to be proper and the question decided, notwithstanding that there is a basis for the application if, in the opinion of the returning officer, or (i) the basis for the application did not materially affect the result of the plebiscite, (ii) the plebiscite was conducted substantially in accordance with this Regulation and the Act, (c) declare the plebiscite to be void and the question undecided if, in the opinion of the returning officer, there is a basis for the application and the basis is sufficient to, or did, affect the result of the plebiscite. Audit 17(1) The Council may conduct an audit respecting any matter relating to the plebiscite process or the results of the plebiscite. (2) An audit under subsection (1) may be conducted on the Council s own initiative or at the request of the returning officer. - 744 -
AR 171/2018 (3) The Council shall not require an audit after the ballots have been destroyed under section 18. Destruction of ballots 18 The returning officer shall destroy all ballots on or after the 90th day after the results of the plebiscite are reported under section 14, unless otherwise directed by a court or the Council. Substantial compliance 19 A proceeding that is in substantial compliance with this Regulation is not open to objection on the ground that it is not in strict compliance with this Regulation. Expiry 20 For the purpose of ensuring that this Regulation is reviewed for ongoing relevancy and necessity, with the option that it may be repassed in its present or an amended form following a review, this Regulation expires on November 30, 2019. -------------------------------- Alberta Regulation 172/2018 Marketing of Agricultural Products Act ALBERTA BEEF PRODUCERS PLEBISCITE REGULATION - 745 - Filed: September 21, 2018 For information only: Made by the Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council on September 5, 2018 and approved by the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (M.O. 035/2018) on September 19, 2018 pursuant to section 25(3) of the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act. Table of Contents 1 Definitions 2 Plebiscite 3 Criteria for plebiscite 4 Returning officer 5 Voting 6 Declaration of plebiscite 7 Voter registration 8 Scrutineers 9 Polling stations 10 Ballot count 11 Reporting results
AR 172/2018 12 Recount 13 Contesting a matter 14 Audit 15 Destruction of ballots 16 Substantial compliance 17 Expiry Definitions 1 In this Regulation, (a) Act means the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act; (b) Commission means Alberta Beef Producers; (c) date of the plebiscite means October 19, 2018; (d) Department means the department under the Minister responsible for the Act; (e) eligible producer means a producer who is described in section 3(1)(a); (f) non-refundable, in respect of a service charge, means not to be refunded; (g) plebiscite means a plebiscite that is conducted pursuant to this Regulation; (h) polling station means a place where an eligible producer votes in the plebiscite in person; (i) refundable, in respect of a service charge, means refundable in whole or in part at a producer s request; (j) regulated product means cattle and cattle products; (k) relevant period means the period within 24 months before the date of the plebiscite; (l) scrutineer means a person appointed as a scrutineer under section 8; (m) service charge means a service charge that is paid to the Commission by or on behalf of a producer. Plebiscite 2 The Council shall conduct a plebiscite to determine whether the service charges that are payable to the Commission should be - 746 -
AR 172/2018 (a) non-refundable, or (b) refundable. Criteria for plebiscite 3(1) For the purpose of the plebiscite, (a) an eligible producer is a producer who (i) is an individual or an individual representing a partnership, a corporation or a joint venture, (ii) is 18 years of age or older, (iii) has, within the relevant period, sold the regulated product and paid a service charge to the Commission, and (iv) has not previously voted in the plebiscite, (b) a sufficient number of eligible producers who produce a sufficient portion of the regulated product will have registered with the Council if any number of eligible producers who have produced any of the regulated product during the relevant period register to vote in accordance with section 7, and (c) a partnership, a corporation or a joint venture may have only one individual as a representative. (2) For the purpose of subsection (1)(a)(iii), (a) an individual has sold the regulated product if a third party on behalf of the individual made the sale and paid the service charge, and (b) a partnership, a corporation or a joint venture has sold the regulated product if (i) the partnership, the corporation or the joint venture made the sale and paid the service charge, or (ii) an individual on behalf of the partnership, the corporation or the joint venture made the sale and paid the service charge. - 747 -
AR 172/2018 Returning officer 4(1) The Council shall appoint a returning officer for the purpose of the plebiscite. (2) For the purpose of the plebiscite, the returning officer may appoint deputy returning officers and poll clerks to act on behalf of the returning officer. (3) The returning officer may delegate to a deputy returning officer or a poll clerk any of the powers, duties or functions of the returning officer under this Regulation except the power of delegation under this subsection. (4) The returning officer shall (a) set the form of the ballot, the certificate and other documents for the plebiscite, (b) arrange for the printing of documents for the plebiscite, (c) establish polling stations, (d) arrange for the appointment and instruction of deputy returning officers and poll clerks, if any are to be appointed, (e) establish and maintain a voters list, (f) make available, at all polling stations and other locations designated by the returning officer, plebiscite voting packages that contain (i) the voting procedures, (ii) a ballot, (iii) a ballot envelope, (iv) a mailing envelope, (v) a certificate, and (vi) any other documents that the returning officer considers appropriate, (g) arrange for plebiscite voting packages to be mailed to eligible producers who request to vote by mail-in ballot, and (h) ensure that plebiscite documents in the possession of the returning officer are kept secure from unauthorized access. - 748 -
AR 172/2018 (5) The returning officer may issue directions and take other actions that the returning officer considers necessary for the proper conduct of the plebiscite. Voting 5(1) Eligible producers may vote in the plebiscite (a) at any polling station during the time the polling station is open, (b) at a location designated by the returning officer, or (c) by means of a mail-in ballot that is sent by ordinary mail to the returning officer if the mailing envelope is received by the returning officer no later than 4:30 p.m. on November 13, 2018. (2) Each eligible producer may vote only once in the plebiscite. Declaration of plebiscite 6(1) The Council shall declare the holding of the plebiscite at least 15 days before the date of the plebiscite. (2) The declaration must contain the following information: (a) the plebiscite question; (b) the means by which information and documents respecting the matter to be voted on may be obtained; (c) the date, time and location of each polling station; (d) the voting procedures. (3) The declaration must be (a) published on the Department s website and the Commission s website, and (b) sent to the last known physical or electronic address of each eligible producer in the records of the Commission. Voter registration 7(1) An eligible producer may vote only if the eligible producer has registered to vote. - 749 -
AR 172/2018 (2) An eligible producer shall be considered to have registered to vote when (a) the returning officer receives from the eligible producer a certificate that is completed and signed by the eligible producer, and (b) the eligible producer produces to the returning officer proof of the eligible producer s identity and current residence in the form of (i) one piece of identification issued by a Canadian government, whether federal, provincial or local, or an agency of that government, that contains the eligible producer s name and current address and a photograph of the eligible producer, (ii) 2 pieces of identification authorized by the returning officer each of which establish the eligible producer s name and at least one of which establishes the eligible producer s current address, or (iii) if the eligible producer is voting by mail-in ballot, a copy of the piece or pieces of identification referred to in subclause (i) or (ii). (3) After an eligible producer has registered to vote, the returning officer shall add the eligible producer s name to the voters list. (4) If the returning officer considers, after reasonable investigation, that a person who casts a ballot has not registered to vote, the returning officer shall reject that person s ballot. Scrutineers 8(1) The returning officer may appoint one or more scrutineers to observe the plebiscite process at a polling station while the poll is open for voting. (2) An eligible producer who wishes to become a scrutineer shall apply to the returning officer at least 7 days before the date of the plebiscite. (3) The returning officer shall establish a code of conduct for scrutineers. (4) A scrutineer shall comply with the code of conduct, and a scrutineer who fails to comply with the code of conduct may be removed from the polling station. - 750 -
AR 172/2018 Polling stations 9 The following persons may be present at a polling station while the poll is open for voting: (a) the returning officer; (b) the deputy returning officer; (c) the poll clerk; (d) eligible producers intending to vote; (e) a representative of the Council; (f) a representative of the Commission; (g) any scrutineers appointed under section 8 by the returning officer in respect of the polling station; (h) a person who is present at the request of the returning officer or the deputy returning officer to maintain order in the polling station. Ballot count 10(1) No earlier than 4:30 p.m. on November 13, 2018, the returning officer shall place each ballot envelope not rejected under section 7(4) into a ballot box without putting any identification mark on the ballot. (2) After each ballot envelope has been placed in a ballot box, the returning officer shall open each ballot box, remove the ballots from the ballot envelopes contained in each box and count the ballots in the presence of at least 2 other individuals, one of whom represents the Council and one of whom represents the Commission. (3) The returning officer shall reject any ballot (a) that is received after 4:30 p.m. on November 13, 2018, (b) that has not been printed and supplied by the returning officer, (c) that, in the opinion of the returning officer, does not clearly indicate the voter s choice, or (d) that, in the opinion of the returning officer, appears to have been tampered with. (4) A scrutineer may be present while the ballots are being counted with the prior approval of the returning officer. - 751 -
AR 172/2018 Reporting results 11(1) The returning officer shall report the results of the vote to the Minister, the Council and the Commission within one day after the ballots have been counted. (2) The Council shall publish the results of the vote on the Council s website within 3 days after the returning officer reports the results under subsection (1). Recount 12(1) The returning officer shall conduct a recount if there is a difference in the result of the plebiscite of less than 1%. (2) The recount shall be conducted by the returning officer as soon as is practicable. (3) A scrutineer may be present during the recount with the prior approval of the returning officer. (4) The returning officer shall report the results of the recount to the Minister, the Council and the Commission within one day after the recount is conducted. (5) The Council shall publish the results of the recount on the Council s website within 3 days after the returning officer reports the results under subsection (4). Contesting a matter 13(1) An eligible producer who is on the voters list may apply in writing to the returning officer to contest (a) the eligibility of a voter, (b) any matter relating to a ballot or the ballot count, or (c) any irregularity with respect to the conduct of the plebiscite. (2) An application to contest a matter under subsection (1) must be made to the returning officer by November 27, 2018. (3) Within 7 days of receiving an application, the returning officer shall consider the matter and may (a) declare the plebiscite to be proper and the question decided if, in the opinion of the returning officer, there is no basis for the application, - 752 -
AR 172/2018 (b) declare the plebiscite to be proper and the question decided, notwithstanding that there is a basis for the application if, in the opinion of the returning officer, or (i) the basis for the application did not materially affect the result of the plebiscite, and (ii) the plebiscite was conducted substantially in accordance with this Regulation and the Act, (c) declare the plebiscite to be void and the question undecided if, in the opinion of the returning officer, there is a basis for the application and the basis is sufficient to, or did, affect the result of the plebiscite. Audit 14(1) The Council may conduct an audit respecting any matter relating to the plebiscite process or the results of the plebiscite. (2) An audit under subsection (1) may be conducted (a) on the Council s own initiative, or (b) at the request of the returning officer. (3) The Council shall not conduct an audit after the date the ballots are to be destroyed under section 15. Destruction of ballots 15 The returning officer shall destroy all ballots on or after the 90th day after the results are reported under section 11 unless otherwise directed by a court or the Council. Substantial compliance 16 A proceeding that is in substantial compliance with this Regulation is not open to objection on the ground that it is not in strict compliance with this Regulation. Expiry 17 For the purpose of ensuring that this Regulation is reviewed for ongoing relevancy and necessity, with the option that it may be repassed in its present or amended form following a review, this Regulation expires on December 31, 2019. - 753 -
Alberta Regulation 173/2018 Cemeteries Act Consumer Protection Act SERVICE ALBERTA REGULATIONS AMENDMENT REGULATION Filed: September 26, 2018 For information only: Made by the Minister of Service Alberta (M.O. SA:033/2018) on September 24, 2018 pursuant to sections 4.1, 12, 42, 158.5, 162(2), 183(a), (b) and (c)(xiv) of the Consumer Protection Act and sections 60(2) and 65 of the Cemeteries Act. 1 The Administrative Penalties (Fair Trading Act) Regulation (AR 135/2013) is amended (a) in the title by striking out FAIR TRADING and substituting CONSUMER PROTECTION ; (b) by repealing section 7. 2 The Commercial Cemeteries Regulation (AR 247/98) is amended in section 19 by striking out November 30, 2018 and substituting November 30, 2021. 3 The Crematories Designation Regulation (AR 11/2002) is amended in section 2 by striking out November 30, 2018 and substituting November 30, 2021. 4 The General Regulation (AR 249/98) is amended in section 49 by striking out November 30, 2018 and substituting November 30, 2021. 5 The Gift Card Regulation (AR 146/2008) is amended in section 8 by striking out October 31, 2018 and substituting October 31, 2020. 6 The Internet Sales Contract Regulation (AR 81/2001) is amended in section 14 by striking out September 30, 2018 and substituting September 30, 2021. 754
Alberta Regulation 174/2018 Livestock and Livestock Products Act PURCHASE AND SALE OF EGGS AND PROCESSED EGG AMENDMENT REGULATION Filed: September 27, 2018 For information only: Made by the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (M.O. 033/2018) on September 24, 2018 pursuant to section 1(1) of the Livestock and Livestock Products Act. 1 The Purchase and Sale of Eggs and Processed Egg Regulation (AR 23/2004) is amended by this Regulation. 2 Section 1(d) is amended by striking out Rural Development and substituting Forestry. 3 Section 20 is repealed. 4 The Schedule is amended in the heading to Form 1 by striking out Rural Development and substituting Forestry. - 755 -