EDMONTON – Another protest against the NDP’s farm safety bill took place at the Alberta Legislature on Monday, just three days after roughly 200 people gathered there for a similar rally.
The noon rally saw an even bigger turnout than the one held Friday; approximately 1,000 people attended.
READ MORE: Trucks, combines, tractors line Alberta’s Highway 2 to protest Bill 6
Farmers and ranchers say Bill 6 will drastically change their way of life.
“We are all going to be punished for the way we were born and raised and taught how to do things,” said Kamren Birkbeck, who runs a 1,000 acre farm near Mayerthorpe with his wife. “I always knew farming was a thankless job but I never felt so under appreciated.”
READ MORE: Farmers rally against Bill 6 at Alberta legislature
Effective Jan. 1, the legislation will put all farms in the province under Occupational Health and Safety and mandate workers’ compensation. The province says it will consult with industry before finalizing the bill.
“They’re not listening,” said Sherry Gunnow, who runs a horse farm in Ponoka. “They might be hearing, but they’re not listening.”
“It impacts all of us. The cost is going to be transported onto the consumer.”
Saskatchewan has similar legislation, but there workers compensation is optional, and OHS rules only take effect in the case of an employer-employee relationship, so children or neighbours helping out wouldn’t fall under the bill.
In B.C., agricultural employers must comply with all OHS regulations which apply to large and small operations, as long as there are employers and workers. In the case of a family-run farm, family members are typically not considered workers under the Workers Compensation Act.
The rally was organized on Facebook. The page “Farmers Against Bill 6” has more than 30,000 members. The group’s online petition has more than 15,000 names.
Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said he was going to ask 18 questions about Bill 6 during Question Period Monday. Alberta Party Leader Greg Clark said the NDP disrespected and underestimated rural Alberta and that Bill 6 should go back to the drawing board.
“Farming is not a job. Farming is a way of life,” said PC MLA Richard Starke.
Liberal Leader David Swann was shouted at during the rally when he spoke in support of more regulations on commercial operations.
In a news release, he later said debate on the issue should continue – in consultations with farmers and in the legislature. He’s worried the NDP “may decide to withdraw this badly needed legislation.”
“Bill 6 is not a perfect bill,” said Swann. “I support changes to this legislation, particularly when it comes to creating exemptions for family farms. However, these changes can and should be made on the floor of the house as legislators debate the bill in the next two weeks.
“Paid farm workers in this province have waited long enough for the right to refuse unsafe work, they have waited long enough to for any injuries that they may suffer on the job to be investigated, and they have waited long enough for a fair means of compensation when through WCB,” added Swann.
The government told Global News there is no plan to delay Bill 6. The plan is still to have it in place for Jan. 1.
“We absolutely want to make sure that this will work for family farms,” said Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour Minister Lori Sigurdson. “That’s why we’re out here listening, why the consultations are going on. Unfortunately, there’s some misinformation out there.”
Elected farmer representatives – who make up Alberta’s crop commissions – are urging members to speak out about the new farm safety and labour legislation. The commissions are also calling on the government to extend the consultation process and take more farmer feedback into account.
“We take the safety of our workers, our families and ourselves very seriously,” said Alberta Canola Producers Commission chairman Lee Markert. “That is why we are asking for due diligence regarding Bill 6 and how it affects our farms.”
“In September, the four crop commissions issued a news release stating we were ready and willing to contribute to the discussion,” added Mike Ammeter, Alberta Barley chair.
“We were ready to provide input before the specifics of Bill 6 were announced to ensure farmers’ best interests were being represented, unfortunately that process was never initiated.”
The groups are urging their members to attend and share their thoughts at upcoming town hall meetings.
The Alberta barley, canola, pulse and wheat commissions represent the vast majority of farmers that grow these crops throughout the province.
Sigurdson issued a statement Friday evening, saying she’s been listening to Albertans about Bill 6 and what it will mean for their families.
“I want to assure those families that Bill 6 does nothing more than bring Alberta’s safety standards on farm and ranching operations in line with every other province in Canada.
“Family farms have thrived in those provinces, and they will continue to do so in Alberta.
“The concerns I’m hearing about most, relate to what the legislation means for family, friends and neighbours who pitch in on the farm. I can assure you that farm kids will continue to make their communities proud in their local 4-H program, just as they do in every other province.
“Neighbours and relatives will continue to help each other out in times of need, just as they do in every other province. These customary parts of farm life will go on as before, while enhancing protections for employees,” said Sigurdson.
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