EDMONTON – As Alberta’s MLAs gathered inside the legislature, hundreds of Albertans gathered outside to protest the NDP government.
The crowd called for Premier Rachel Notley’s resignation, chanting: “Rachel Notley has to go.”
READ MORE: Farm safety bill spurs death threats against Alberta premier
Specifically, the group opposes Bill 6 and the carbon tax that is being put into place by the government.
Bill 6 is farm safety legislation passed last year that has made it mandatory for farms with paid employees to carry workers’ compensation coverage. The legislation won’t apply to family members and neighbours helping out.
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“We’re here just to say please listen to us. The government just needs to listen to us. We’re not against Ms. Notley, we’re not against any of that. Just listen to us,” Julie Franz, Stand up for Albertans, said.
Bill 6 passed at the beginning of December despite much push back from Alberta farmers and ranchers who said the legislation would threaten their way of life.
Petitions have been going around the province for several months. The group claims it has collected 160,000 signatures.
READ MORE: Bill 6 passes third reading after heated debate
The bill brings workers’ compensation benefits and health and safety rules to paid workers on farms but some farmers argued that it will bury their operations in red tape and damage the fabric of rural life.
While Bill 6 has already passed, the government is looking for people to develop recommendations on how employment standards, occupational health and safety and labour relations requirements should be applied to the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act.
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