A farmer from Prince Edward Island has reached a settlement with the Canada Revenue Agency after a dispute that originated from a fish kill incident ten years ago. Alex Docherty faced charges in 2018 related to a fish kill that occurred two years earlier. However, he successfully defended himself in the initial case due to a lack of a search warrant for soil samples taken from his property. Docherty later won two appeals.
Feeling the need to stand up for what is right, Docherty sued the CRA, alleging that his and his son’s personal and business tax information had been shared with an environmental officer and a Crown lawyer involved in his prosecution without proper cause. He emphasized the injustice of disclosing this sensitive information before any court proceedings had taken place.
Docherty, along with his son Logan and their company Skye View Farms, came under environmental scrutiny following the fish kill incident in Clyde River in 2016. After multiple court victories, the family filed a lawsuit in Federal Court, accusing government employees of unlawfully handling their tax data.
Docherty argued that the CRA violated regulations by sharing his tax details without a criminal charge against him. Seeking damages of $450,000, Docherty’s legal action was resolved in January 2026 by mutual agreement without any party being awarded costs.
The CRA declined to comment on the issue, citing confidentiality laws. Docherty refrained from disclosing the settlement terms but expressed his commitment to principles and justice. He highlighted the importance of holding authorities accountable and advocated for clearer legislation to prevent similar breaches of privacy in the future.
Docherty urged Parliament members, including P.E.I.’s representatives, to address the issue and ensure transparency and protection for individuals’ private information. He viewed the settlement as a victory not only for his family but for farmers across Canada, emphasizing the need for common-sense approaches to environmental protection within the agricultural community.
