Alberta’s NDP government, under fire from farmers and ranchers furious over its handling of a controversial farm safety bill, introduced amendments Monday to exclude family members and Hutterite colonies.
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The amendments state that Workers Compensation benefits and Occupational Health and Safety rules will only apply on farms that have paid workers.
– In all cases, farm and ranch families may elect to choose WCB coverage for waged owners, waged family members and unwaged neighbours and friends.
In his 2009 fatality inquiry report on the 2006 death of farm worker Kevan Chandler, provincial justice Peter Barley took exception with the exclusion of agricultural workers from Alberta’s workplace laws.
The legislation was centered on safety on farm and ranch operations in Alberta, but has been met with heavy criticism, including several rallies at pre-planned information sessions put on by the government. More than 1,000 farmers and ranchers demonstrated at two separate protests at the legislature last week. She said the amendments will clarify who is covered by the bill.
Wildrose member Jason Nixon said even with the changes “this bill still creates confusion, frustration and anger amongst Alberta’s farming community”.
Progressive Conservative House Leader Richard Starke said he believes the government did initially want to bring family farms under health and safety rules.
Those opposing Bill 6 are expected to hold a rally.
Premier Rachel Notley posted an open letter on social media over the weekend in an attempt to address concerns that have been expressed over the proposed farm safety legislation.
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“We’d meant to outline these provision for family members and unpaid individuals in the regulations to the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act“, Sigurdson explains.
