Mandate
The Farm Implement Board (FIB) reports to the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation and advises the minister about matters arising from the implementation of the Farm Implement and Dealership Act (FIDA).
Responsibilities
The FIB is established under the FIDA.
The legislated powers and duties of the FIB include:
- holding appeals dealing with license refusals, cancellations or suspensions
- holding hearings dealing with Applications for Compensation for loss arising from a breach of a sale or lease agreement or a breach of a provision of the FIDA
- investing money into and paying money out of the Farm Implement Compensation Fund
- setting levies and assessments for the Farm Implement Compensation Fund
- carrying out any duties set by the regulations
- notifying the Minister of any unpaid levies, assessments and penalties
Governance
The FIB manages the Farm Implement Compensation Fund, which is financed through fees, levies and assessments paid by farm implement dealers and distributors licensed in Alberta. If there has been a breach of a lease, a sale agreement, or the FIDA, compensation may be available. The FIB also makes recommendations to the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation with respect to the FIDA.
FIB members act in accordance with a Code of Conduct developed and implemented in 2025.
Membership
The Farm Implement Board consists of 7 members:
- one member appointed by the Minister
- one member appointed by the Western Equipment Dealers Association (WEDA) or its successor organization
- one member appointed by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) or its successor organization
- one member appointed by the Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada (AMC) or its successor organization
- three members appointed by the Board from nominations submitted by enumerated farm commodity groups
Current membership
| Michael Buck | Chair, Producer Member |
| Chris Allam | Vice Chair, Producer Member |
| Cory Vanden Elzen | Producer Member |
| Trevor Jubenville | Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) – Canada |
| Rob Wierenga | Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada (AMC) |
| Kevin Peyre | North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) |
| Chris Christensen | Ministerial Appointment |
Application for compensation
If a purchaser believes they have experienced a loss due to a breach of the FIDA, for example, a violation of a sales agreement or warranty, they may apply for potential compensation within one year of the loss.
Farmers are encouraged to make every effort to settle their dispute with the dealer prior to approaching the Farmers’ Advocate Office.
The Farm Implement Inspector may review farm implement disputes prior to any potential review by the FIB.
Procedures for hearings
The FIB hears Applications for Compensation that cannot be resolved with the assistance of the Farm Implement Inspector.
- Any person who has purchased a new farm implement, as defined in the FIDA and regulation may make an Application for Compensation subject to Section 37.
- If the Application for Compensation falls under the jurisdiction of the FIB, the FIB may hold a hearing on the matter.
- If a hearing is to be held, the Applicant and Respondents are contacted by the Farm Implement and Dealership Act Administration.
- Generally, hearings are held in-person, but other means may be used, if approved by the FIB. Written and/or oral submissions are used in the hearings and there are opportunities for questions from the FIB and cross-examination by the opposing party.
- A written decision will be provided to all the parties within 30 business days of the conclusion of the hearing.
- The Farm Implement and Dealership Act Administration personnel can provide further details on what a hearing entails.
Notice of Failure to Perform
Purchasers can take steps to request new farm equipment be replaced or refunded if it does not perform as intended. There are 10-day or 50-hour notification deadlines.
Contact
Connect with the FAO:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 310-FARM (3276) (in Alberta)
Phone: 403-742-7901 (outside Alberta)
Email: [email protected] or Ask us a question online
View all FAO contact information
Mailing address:
J.G. O'Donoghue Building
7000 113 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6