Government appoints new Farmers' Advocate

Peter Dobbie to take lead role in Farmers' Advocate Office

Peter Dobbie, QC, has been appointed the new Farmers’ Advocate for Alberta, effective April 2nd, bringing to the position more than 20 years of experience as a lawyer advising farmers and agribusinesses, and as a resident of rural Alberta.


“We are pleased to welcome Peter to the role of Farmers’ Advocate, and I am sure our agriculture community will be well-served by his appointment” said Evan Berger, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Peter brings a wealth of experience, education and knowledge to the position and I know he is excited about the challenges and opportunities that his new role will bring.”
Dobbie holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario, as well as a Bachelor of Law and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alberta. For more than 20 years, he has worked as a lawyer advising farmers and agribusinesses in financing, purchase, sale, leasing, surface rights, dispute resolution, succession planning and estate administration matters, giving him direct knowledge of the laws and regulations dealt with by the Farmers’ Advocate Office.

He also has years of experience as a volunteer with organizations such as the Rotary Club of Vegreville, the 4-H Foundation of Alberta and the Vegreville and District Chamber of Commerce, and as a Commission Member of the Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission.

For almost 40 years, the Farmers’ Advocate Office has worked to ensure rural Albertans have consumer protection, rural opportunities and fair process. The Farmers’ Advocate Office also administers the Farm Implement Act, which provides consumer protection through warranty, parts availability and licensing provisions for farm equipment.

The Farmers’ Advocate Office also assists landowners with managing their land assets, mitigating business risk and maximizing future economic opportunity as it relates to interaction with the energy industry. In this role, the Farmers’ Advocate will work closely with the Property Rights Advocate, once established, to ensure that the needs of Albertans are met.