Overview
Part of making an informed decision when purchasing a new piece of farm equipment is checking to see if the dealer or distributor is licensed.
Dealing with licensed dealers and distributors
Farmers should be aware that if they are conducting business with an unlicensed farm implement dealer or distributor, they will not have any protection under the Farm Implement Act. All farm implement distributors and dealers operating within the province of Alberta must be licensed under the Farm Implement Act, which is administered by the FAO. This legislation provides consumers with protection on the purchase of new farm equipment.
Consumers can review the lists of licensed dealers and distributors here:
2018 List of Licensed Distributors
Each year licensed dealers and distributors are provided with physical licences to be displayed at their place of business.
Becoming a licensed dealer
Under the Farm Implement Act, anyone carrying on a business as a farm implement dealer must hold a dealer's licence. These licences are issued annually. Dealers must pay a licence fee to the Government of Alberta and an annual levy to the Farm Implement Compensation Fund. The Farm Implement Board determines the levy based on the number of claims paid out of the compensation fund during the previous year.
Dealing with licensed dealers provides farmers with financial and legal security when purchasing equipment.
Application for Licence as a Dealer (PDF, 152 KB)
Becoming a licensed distributor
Under the Farm Implement Act, anyone carrying on a business as a farm implement distributor must hold a distributor's licence. Dealing with licensed distributors provides implement dealers with financial and legal security when purchasing equipment.
The licences are issued annually and distributors must pay a licence fee to the Government of Alberta and an annual levy to the Farm Implement Compensation Fund. Licence fees are set at $50 by the Farm Implement Act regulation. The levy is set annually by the Farm Implement Board. The Board determines the amount based on the number of claims paid out of the compensation fund during the previous year.
Application for Licence as a Distributor (PDF, 140 KB)
Contact
To connect with the Farmers' Advocate Office (FAO):
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 310-FARM (3276)
Fax: 780-427-3913
Email: farmers.advocate@gov.ab.ca
Address:
Farmers' Advocate Office (FAO)
Suite 100, 7000 113 Street,
Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6