More control over your own land, and less time waiting on government. On August 28, your United Conservative government announced it is restoring private property rights for farmers by removing unnecessary regulatory barriers that restrict how they manage water on their own cropland.
Under the system in place in August, routine farming work can trigger regulatory requirements if it affects a temporary or seasonal wetland. In some cases, a farmer may have to hire a qualified wetland professional, complete an assessment, wait for government review and pay wetland replacement costs before going ahead.
Those approval and replacement requirements will be removed for specified farming activities on private cropland. That makes it easier to cultivate, seed, spray, ditch, drain and infill without an unnecessary approval process. The changes are expected to take effect this fall.
This means fewer unnecessary approvals, lower costs and less time waiting on government. Farmers will have more flexibility to manage water and improve field conditions, while water handled under the new exemptions stays on your property, so neighbours and downstream infrastructure are protected.
We’re also cutting red tape on tile drainage. Instead of a lengthy Water Act approval, a clear code of practice will let farmers proceed through notification, with consent required from downstream landowners who could be affected. The code is expected to be completed in early 2027.
These changes respond directly to concerns raised by Alberta farmers and agricultural organizations. Under Premier Smith, your United Conservative government is getting government out of the way where it doesn’t need to be, while keeping protections for neighbours, infrastructure and higher-value wetlands.
More control, lower costs and less red tape. That’s your United Conservative government getting the job done.
Alberta is restoring farmers’ property rights and cutting red tape.
— Grant Hunter (@GrantHunterUCP3) August 28, 2026
Farmers will be able to carry out routine agriculture activities involving non-permanent wetlands on their own land without government approval.
They will also be able to manage excess subsurface water through… pic.twitter.com/8BohI5JhOX