With the 2019 provincial election campaign just around the corner, the ruling New Democratic Party and the official Opposition United Conservative Party (UCP) are already starting to square off on key issues.
And one such issue sure to be a hot topic in rural Alberta, including in this region, will be the future of the controversial Bill 6.
The Enhancement of Protection of Farm and Ranch Workers Act brings non-family agricultural workers under occupational health and safety rules and regulations.
Last week, the UCP announced that one of its top priorities if it is elected to government this spring will be to scrap Bill 6.
UCP Leader Jason Kenney calls it flawed legislation that needs to be discarded without delay.
“Despite widespread concerns, the Notley government chose to force Bill 6 through the legislature before consulting most of the people most seriously impacted,” said Kenney.
“The NDP put the cart before the horse, and as a result lost all public trust with farm and ranch families. To rebuild that trust, there is no acceptable alternative but scrapping the bill.
“If elected, a UCP government will immediately launch comprehensive consultations with farmers, ranchers, agriculture workers and others on how best to balance the unique economic pressures of farming with the need for a common sense, flexible farm safety regime.”
For his part, Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier calls any plans to scrap Bill 6 misguided.
“The work has been done,” Carlier said. “I can only speculate that he (Kenney) is looking for a few extra votes in rural Alberta. That’s quite perplexing and somewhat troubling that he’s fear-mongering a theory of his that doesn’t exist.”
Albertans are about to be given a chance to voice their opposition or support of Bill 6 at the polls.
Whether the upcoming fight over the controversial act will resonate with voters in the cities remains to be seen. What is known is that the battle is sure to be a heated one in rural Alberta this spring.
- Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor
