The province has extended the consultation with the agricultural community on draft workplace amendments until Feb. 26. The deadline had been Jan. 15.
A number of agriculture groups, including the Mountain View County agricultural services board, had called for an extension of the consultation deadline.
Board member and county councillor Duncan Milne said he is pleased the consultation period has been extended and is hopeful it will give more stakeholders a chance to have their say.
"The more people can get their thought in, then maybe we will convince them (the government) that some of this thing isn't quite right," said Milne. "I'm not sure if we will convince them or not. I'm hopeful."
The Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act (Bill 6) brings farms and farm workers under Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
The province is gathering input from stakeholders on regulations under the act that relate to farm and ranch operations.
The recommended regulations include a requirement that "employers in the farm and ranch sector have written code of practice governing how workers enter and work in confined spaces, to ensure that workers are appropriately trained for working in confined spaces, and other requirements enshrined in other sectors of industry to protect the safety of workers."
Another regulation would require "hazard assessments to document existing and potential hazard before work begins (and) this process involves affected workers and assesses tasks to ensure control measures are implemented to protect workers."
Charlie Christie, the newly-elected chairman of Alberta Beef Producers, says he hopes the government will take heed of recommendations and concerns being voiced by the agricultural community regarding the new act.
"If they work with us, I think we can be successful and truly save lives," Christie told the Gazette. "But if they push the agenda too hard I think they are going to have backlash and we don't want to see backlash. There's not a producer out there who wants to see an unsafe situation.
"We are fully onside with making farms and ranches safer, but I'm worried that the government will try to push ahead too fast and put too many operations outside the legislation."
The Mountain View County agricultural services board recently sent a letter to Oneil Carlier, minister of agriculture, and Christina Gray, minister of labour, calling for the consultation period to be extended.
"To ensure engagement the timeline period for comments and methods does not allow ample time for farmers and ranchers across the province to review the recommendations and evaluate how it impacts their operation," said ASB chairman Brian Rodger.
The board's letter came in support of a call by Brazeau County to extend the comment period until April 30.
"Further the agriculture service board recommends community engagement sessions to gather comments and feedback," he said.
"Facilitating community feedback ensures comment and insight into the proposed changes are heard and taken into consideration for the proposed changes to legislation."
For more information and to provide feedback, see alberta.ca/assets/documents/farm-and-ranch-twg-legislative-recommendations.pdf.
"The more people can get their thought in, then maybe we will convince them (the government) that some of this thing isn't quite right."
