The Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) hopes to work closely with the provincial government to ensure regulations around the new Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act (formerly Bill 6) take both safety and industry viability into account, said association president Al Kemmere.
“Now that it is passed, our focus is going to be involved and engaged in the building of the regulations or reviewing the regulations as they are being built, so that we can make sure from our perspective we understand what they are moving forward with,” said Kemmere, who is also a Mountain View County councillor.
“We want to encourage them (government) to involve as many of the grassroots producers as they can.”
The Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act passed in the legislature on Dec. 10. Once implemented in the new year, the act will bring paid farm workers under Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
Prior to Bill 6 passing third reading, the AAMDC had called on the province to delay passage pending further public consultation.
“While farm safety legislation may be required, the provincial government should only proceed following thoughtful and extensive consultation with Alberta's farming and ranching community to ensure that any proposed changes balance the need to protect farm workers while maintaining the viability of the agriculture industry,” the association said at the time.
“At this time there are too many unknown consequences to proceed with this legislation. Bill 6 must be delayed until such time as meaningful and credible consultation has taken place. This consultation should include all stakeholders including AAMDC and should pertain to the draft legislation, regulations and terminology resulting from Bill 6. Only then would AAMDC reconsider it's position.
“As a vital contributor to the provincial economy, protecting the agriculture industry and the rural way of life is in the best interest of Albertans.”
Despite the bill passing, the AAMDC's view that a balance must be maintained between safety and industry viability remains, said Kemmere.
“Safety is always important but so is the long-term viability of agriculture,” he said. “That's why the regulations are so important. We want to make sure that we don't regulate the industry to a point that it is not sustainable. It is trying to put common-sense into the regulations.”
The AAMDC will be formulating its overall strategy for moving forward with Bill 6 matters in the coming days, he said.
“It is the position of the AAMDC that safety must be of paramount importance in all of Alberta's workplaces including farms,” he said. “However, the agriculture industry is unique and one-size fits all regulatory approach has the potential to hinder small and family-run agriculture operations.”
The AAMDC represents 69 rural municipalities, including Red Deer and Mountain View counties.
"Now that it is passed, our focus is going to be involved and engaged in the building of the regulations."Al KemmereAAMDC president
