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It’s harvest time in Alberta, and the seemingly placid farmers’ fields that mark peaceful country living are really anything but. Come a warm August week, farmers scramble in search of capable hands to thresh wheat and grade and pack produce.

“That is the reality of farm life,” said Merrill Harris from his combine just outside Taber. “There are two combines running the field. One with me, and one with my 12-year-old nephew. He’s qualified to do it. He’s been taught. And where else do I go to find somebody for two weeks of combining that can do this?”

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Alberta is unique in not having child labour laws apply to industrial farming operations in this country

His nephew knows his dad and uncle are nearby. He knows better than to do anything dangerous. And the boy likes to drive. Mr. Harris himself wasn’t much older when he started to operate heavy machinery on the farm; like most farmboys, he could drive a tractor before he was allowed to park a car.

Unlike other provinces, Alberta doesn’t much regulate labour practices in the agricultural industry. Migrant workers, and even children, can be hired to do just about any job. But child labour — even on the family farm — has a way of making some people feel squeamish. Certainly David Swann doesn’t like it. The former provincial Opposition leader and Liberal MLA has asked snack-food giant Frito Lay to consider turning away Alberta spuds for its potato chips until the province beefs up its laws.