More than a week after Bill 6 was introduced, Albertans continue to speak out and protest against what the legislation could mean for family farms across the province, while the premier has said the bill will pass this fall, but will protect family farms.
Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills Wildrose MLA David Hanson says his email, office phone and social media have been receiving numerous messages from constituents concerned about the proposed changes that the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act could mean.
Hanson says he is interested in arranging a town hall gathering with constituents to discuss the bill, and he encourages anyone with concerns to speak up and contact the government in a bid to slow the process and have more input from Alberta farmers.
“We need the public’s help on this one.”
The public was responding, with protests set to take place in Edmonton last week and again on Monday, and a more local protest that took place on Monday early afternoon out near Glendon.
Although the cold temperatures usually mean farmers have put their equipment away for the season, they took them out and drove the equipment out to the Beacon’s Corner area, along Highway 28, in protest of the bill.
The biggest concerns Hanson has heard is that parents are more concerned about safety on the farm than any government can ever be. The average family farm is always working to keep their farm safe, he says.
When farmers start doing the math, the financial implications of paying WCB premiums is daunting, and would have very detrimental effects on farm operations, says the MLA. For now, the Wildrose is trying to get the government to slow down the process, get public feedback, and make the legislation right.
When asked if he supports Bill 6 in any way, Hanson says, “How could you not support farm safety?” But, he adds that legislation should be geared toward the larger, more corporate operations.
He says one example is that it could affect the number of hours children work on a school night to two. If a child is involved in 4-H and has chores to do, those two hours go quickly, says Hanson.
Since the legislation was announced a farmer near Drumheller launched a petition, which had received well over 9,000 signatures by last week.
“If approved, the law would ensure that 60,000 farm and ranch workers in Alberta will have the same basic protections that other workers in the province have received for decades,” according to a media release from the provincial government.
Premier Rachel Notley has said the government will pass the new legislation, but will introduce amendments to the bill to clear up the “misinformation” surrounding it. She said neighbours and friends will still be able to help each other on the farm, while children will still be able to participate in farm life and 4-H programs.
Changes brought on by the bill would include ensuring farms and ranches are subject to Occupational Health and Safety legislation, with the aim of preventing farm and ranch incidents that can lead to injury or death. A second change would be providing Workers’ Compensation Board insurance coverage so that workers can continue to support their families if they are injured on the job, and subsequently, to protect farm and ranch owners against the impact of workplace injury and illness.
The bill would also include farms and ranches in Employment Standards and Labour Relations legislation.
Farm and ranch workers will be protected by the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations as of Jan. 1, 2016, says the provincial release. Workers’ Compensation Board coverage for farm and ranch workers will also be mandatory as of this date.
Farmers need to understand the legislation since it affects them, their children and their grandchildren, says Hanson, which is why he hopes the bill will make its way to committee before being passed.
