Public consultations aimed at gathering input into the UCP government plans to repeal and replace the contentious Bill 6 are going well, says agriculture minister and area MLA Devin Dreeshen.
“Farmers are really appreciative of the opportunity to have their say on what the repeal and replacement of Bill 6 will be,” Dreeshen said in a Gazette interview. “It is our intention to introduce the legislation that comes out of this consultation process in the fall.
“It’s been really, really positive and people are happy that we are taking the time and wanting to hear what people have to say. It’s been going really well.”
The NDP official Opposition calls the government’s plans misguided and not in the best interest of farm families.
One of the consultation open houses is scheduled for the Big Rack Cow Palace Event Centre in Olds on Aug. 8 from 3 to 5 p.m.
The Enhancement of Protection of Farm and Ranch Workers Act (Bill 6) brought non-family agricultural workers under occupational health and safety rules and regulations.
The UCP government plans to repeal Bill 6 and replace it with the Farm Freedom and Safety Act, he said.
“In 2015 when the NDP brought in Bill 6 they did it without consultation with farmers and it essentially treated farms like any other 9 to 5 business,” he said. “Obviously as farmers we understand that that is not the case.
“Our process is to actually go out and talk to farmers and see what they would like the replacement of Bill 6 to look like, that whatever comes at the end of the day is actually something farmers can be in compliance with.”
The new legislation will give farmers options when it comes to insurance, he said.
“We campaigned that there would be choice in insurance,” he said. “It’s been a constant theme during the consultations so far that farmers are fine with insurance; they just want to choose a private insurer or WCB, where right now it’s mandatory WCB coverage.”
In a press release the province said it is seeking input on the following (quoted from release):
• Recognizing that a farm is unlike other businesses, and that farmers and ranchers require flexibility in meeting workplace standards.
• Requiring employers to have workplace insurance by allowing a choice of market insurance or the Workers’ Compensation Board, if basic coverage standards are met.
• Exempting small farms from employment standards legislation.
• Promoting education and best practices to improve farm safety.
• Minimizing red tape and reducing the regulator burden on farmers and ranchers, while still ensuring basic safety standards.
Asked if he’s spoken to any farm workers during the consultations to date, he said, “Yes, we’ve had farm workers, Hutterite colonies and lots of different types of farmers and workers that have come forward. And lots of family have showed up too.”
Jason Nixon is minister of Environment and Parks and the MLA for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre.
“I’m glad to see Minister Dreeshen is doing consultations,” said Nixon. “I think the flaw with the former (NDP) government was the lack of consultation.
“It’s a very important issue that we have to get right and I’m glad to see Mr. Dreeshen is travelling across the province to get it right.”
NDP MLA Lorne Dach provided the following statement to the Gazette regarding the consultations: “Farm workers deserve the same protection as any other worker in this province. Our plan provides more coverage for workers and it protects the farm owners from liability if someone is injured at work, and for what the workers receive, it’s actually cheaper.
“If workers who are injured on farms can’t get the treatment and the support they need to return to work, is the UCP going to increase income support payments to keep a roof over their head and food on the table?”
As part of the consultation process, an online survey is also being conducted by the government. Open until Aug. 31, the survey can be found at alberta.ca.
