Close X
Friday, November 8, 2024
ADVT 
National

Alberta Announces Changes To Farm Safety Bill; Opponents Say Confusion Reigns

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Dec, 2015 11:06 AM
  • Alberta Announces Changes To Farm Safety Bill; Opponents Say Confusion Reigns
EDMONTON — Alberta has introduced amendments to clarify that its contentious farm safety bill won't kill the family farm — but opponents say the process is now so muddled the bill should be scrapped.
 
The amendments, introduced Monday, state that workers' compensation benefits and occupational health and safety rules will only apply on farms that have paid workers.
 
Farms that are run by families will be exempt, even ones where kin are paid to do work.
 
That's the opposite of what the government promised three weeks ago when it introduced Bill 6, the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act. At that time, the government said farm volunteers and children would be subject to occupational health and safety safety rules.
 
Jobs Minister Lori Sigurdson said the original information was wrong and that the amendments reflect the government's long-standing policy position.
 
"This was our intent all along," said Sigurdson, adding there was miscommunication on the issue.
 
Bill 6 has become the focus of a widespread backlash by farmers.
 
In the last two weeks, they have held rallies, driven protest convoys of farm equipment and jammed government information meetings, where ministers have been shouted at and criticized.
 
Opposition parties have taken up the farmers' fight in the legislature. They say there needs to be more time for consultation with people affected by the bill, which touches on a range of issues.
 
The Wildrose party has begun holding its own public consultation sessions.
 
Wildrose member Jason Nixon said even with the changes "this bill still creates confusion, frustration and anger amongst Alberta's farming community. Their voices have not been properly heard."
 
 
Progressive Conservative House Leader Richard Starke said he believes the government did initially want to bring family farms under health and safety rules.
 
"That was the way they wanted to go. And when this furor erupted, they started backtracking in a huge way and saying, 'OK, what do we have to pull out of this (bill) to maybe salvage the situation?'" said Starke.
 
If passed, the bill will give farm workers the right to workers' compensation benefits if hurt on the job, along with the right to refuse unsafe work, starting Jan. 1.
 
Specific rules and exemptions on occupational health and safety rules are to be drawn up in the months that follow in consultation with farmers to reflect the unique needs of the industry.
 
The bill also introduces reforms to employment standards and labour relations, with details to be hashed out in the coming year.
 
Notley, speaking to the bill last week, stressed the legislation is about bringing safety and security to farm workers.
 
However, Sigurdson said that under the amendments, occupational health and safety can investigate if a paid worker is killed driving a piece of farm equipment, but now won't be allowed to if a child is killed driving that same piece of equipment on a family farm.
 
Still, said Sigurdson, the bill is "a step forward."
 
The bill is moving slowly through the legislature as many opposition members take the opportunity to speak to it.
 
Government house leader Brian Mason has said the opposition has moved beyond reasoned debate and is now just trying to eat up time on the legislative clock to keep the bill from passing.
 
On Monday, unions in the province lent their support to Bill 6, saying there will be fewer farm deaths if workers have workplace rights.
 
"It is really about removing the exemptions in law that have denied Alberta's 50,000 agricultural workers the same kind of basic rights and freedoms in the workplace that other Albertans take for granted every day," said Gil McGowan, head of the Alberta Federation of Labour.
 
The 112 people who have died in workplace incidents on Alberta farms since 2009 were commemorated at the news conference.

MORE National ARTICLES

Remote B.C. Community Frets Over Cut Lifeline As Plug Pulled On Internet

Remote B.C. Community Frets Over Cut Lifeline As Plug Pulled On Internet
District of Stewart, the non-profit provider pulled the plug on the Internet on Monday, and it could be weeks before the community gets back online

Remote B.C. Community Frets Over Cut Lifeline As Plug Pulled On Internet

Richmond Predator Martin Tremblay Declared Dangerous Offender, Given Indeterminate Prison Sentence

Richmond Predator Martin Tremblay Declared Dangerous Offender, Given Indeterminate Prison Sentence
Friends and family of 17-year-old Martha Jackson and 16-year-old Kayla Lalonde cried and cheered as a B.C. Supreme Court judge handed down his decision

Richmond Predator Martin Tremblay Declared Dangerous Offender, Given Indeterminate Prison Sentence

Ontario University Hockey Team Changes It's Offensive Name, Destroys Jerseys After Complaint

Ontario University Hockey Team Changes It's Offensive Name, Destroys Jerseys After Complaint
The co-ed team of law students at Western University was called Dixon Cider — a name that the dean of the university's faculty of law says isn't immediately clear that it's offensive until it is spoken aloud

Ontario University Hockey Team Changes It's Offensive Name, Destroys Jerseys After Complaint

Suspect In Alberta Triple Homicide Shot By RCMP, No One Else Hurt

Suspect In Alberta Triple Homicide Shot By RCMP, No One Else Hurt
RCMP say that earlier today they went with a warrant to arrest Mickell Bailey in the deaths of Roxanne Berube, another female and Daniel Miller.

Suspect In Alberta Triple Homicide Shot By RCMP, No One Else Hurt

Rape Group Won't Be Heard At Ivan Henry's Compensation Hearing

A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has rejected an attempt by Vancouver Rape Relief to argue that a man acquitted of sexual assault after nearly three decades behind bars is actually guilty.

Rape Group Won't Be Heard At Ivan Henry's Compensation Hearing

2-Year-Old Girl Found Safe After Missing For Hours Near Powell River, B.C.

2-Year-Old Girl Found Safe After Missing For Hours Near Powell River, B.C.
Const. Tim Kenning with the Powell River RCMP says police believed the little girl walked away from her home.

2-Year-Old Girl Found Safe After Missing For Hours Near Powell River, B.C.