Farm freedom and safety consultations underway

By Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean Times Contributor

Alberta Agriculture Minister Devin Dreeshen announced in July he would be visiting rural areas in the province to consult with affected community members on changes to the previous government’s Bill 6.
“Alberta farmers need common-sense rules that promote farm safety – not process, not red tape,” Dreeshen said. “We’re going to repeal Bill 6, and I plan to meet with farmers this summer to develop the legislation to replace it.”
The United Conservative Party campaigned on a promise to review and revise the previous government’s contentious Bill 6 during the 2019 election.
Wheatland County area residents gathered in Bassano in December of 2015 for a Bill 6 town hall that was attended by former Minister of Agriculture, O’Neil Carlier. The town hall was organized by former Wildrose MLA Derek Fildebrandt and saw hundreds of attendees from the county and beyond.
One issue raised with the legislation at the time included requiring family members to be deemed employees under the Act and subject to the same protections. The Bill was amended in 2016 to exclude family members from regulation in 2016.
Changes to the Farm Safety Act, passed in December 2015, included aligning farms with standard occupational health and safety standards in January 2016, required farmers to maintain insurance with the Worker’s Compensation Board, and aligned compensation with Alberta’s Employment Standards in January 2018.
WCB claims from farm workers more than doubled in the first year after the legislation came into effect, but the issue of requiring farm employers to use the provincial insurance provider remained an area of dispute for some. After three years since its implementation, many will be in a knowledgeable place to provide feedback on their experiences and expectations for revisions to the Act.
The Ministry is currently accepting feedback on “appropriate employment standards, occupational health and safety requirements for farms, worker’s compensation insurance, and labour relations” for the farming industry.
For Wheatland County farmers and ranchers, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper’s office confirmed that a consultation with the Minister of Agriculture will take place in Olds on Aug. 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Cow Palace, 5116 54th Street.
Chestermere-Strathmore MLA Leela Aheer’s office did not respond by press time.
Drumheller-Stettler MLA Nate Horner’s office confirmed a consultation was held in Drumheller in the afternoon of July 26 and he stated they may be scheduling others yet as interest in the area is great.
Residents can also have their say by completing an online survey on the Ministry of Agriculture’s website at or by calling 403-310-FARM (3276) until Aug. 31, 2019.