NDP Ag Minister says he won’t stand with farmers against Bill 6

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Regardless of thunderous foot stomping, roaring applause, numerous standing ovations, and unanimous chanting by hundreds of Albertan farmers pleading their case to kill what is often referred to as the ominous Bill 6, NDP Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Oneil Carlier announced he will continue to vote in favour of the legislation when it comes time for a decision.
The announcement proved disappointing to 500 farmers, who, many with their children in tow, attended the Dec. 5 town hall meeting in Bassano. After nearly two hours of raising concerns, asking questions, and highlighting fears about their livelihoods in regards to penalties associated with the bill, farmers and ranchers pushed for an answer on the agriculture minister’s personal views and loyalties to the industry’s workers in relation to Bill 6.
“I absolutely heard the constituents, I think Derek [Fildebrandt] knows this,” said Carlier. “Will I stand in the legislature and stand with the Wildrose to kill this bill, or will I stand with my colleagues and pass it? I will stand with my colleagues. I’m only being honest.”
Strathmore/Brooks Wildrose MLA Derek Fildebrandt organized the event after controversy surrounding the legislation resulted in numerous protests province-wide and various meetings across Alberta in an effort to slow down the bill or derail it entirely.
Bill 6 – the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act, will subject farms and ranches to provincial Occupational Health and Safety laws, and make Worker’s Compensation Board insurance mandatory for paid agricultural workers. Much debate followed over the past few weeks due to what the NDP have called miscommunication and a lack of consultation with farmers and ranchers.
While Carlier stated over the weekend that changes will occur to the legislation, those in attendance in Bassano remained vexed at his remarks to side with his colleagues and not the farmers. In response farmers asked Fildebrandt whether the Wildrose Party intends to kill the bill if voted into government.
“The short answer is yes, the long answer is, improvements can be made to legislation around farm safety; this bill doesn’t do it,” Fildebrandt said. “Now, when it’s all said and done, when the government rams this through, perhaps there will be parts that can be kept. But the way we do it, we’re going to send this to a committee. If there’s a Wildrose government you will see consultations. Maybe some of the parts of this bill stay, but surely some parts will not. You’ll have your say, farmers will be heard, and Bill 6 as it stands before the legislature right now will not stay in existence if we are forming government.”
Although Carlier said the meeting was respectful, he was booed, called a liar, and heard numerous demands for his resignation. Earlier in the meeting he addressed the crowd, apologizing on behalf of the whole caucus, announced amendments are currently in the works, and admitted details should’ve been provided when the bill was first introduced.
While the NDP minister spoke about the determination to consult with farmers and create a ‘made-in-Alberta solution,’ he remained resolute against sending the bill to a committee, as had been proposed and demanded by Fildebrandt.
“It’s not whether I support this going to committee or not, that’s not relevant,” said Carlier. “We feel that value of this, we want to make sure that the 200 on average that might get injured from Jan. 1 to April 1 are covered with some form of compensation.
“I worry about not having that, I’m worried the delay that the senate committee might have. I would not support sending it to the committee.”
Much to Fildebrandt’s surprise, Carlier accepted the invitation to attend the meeting, attempting to answer many of the questions – most answers farmers felt were evasive.
However, without the technical team Carlier wasn’t able to provide answers specifically dealing with the Workers Compensation Board and Occupational Health and Safety procedures.
Summing up the meeting, hundreds of hands shot up in the air when MLA Fildebrandt asked who of the individuals in attendance wanted him and the NDP to kill Bill 6, which was followed by a “kill Bill 6” chant.
If the legislation is not shelved and the bill is passed, changes are expected to take effect on Jan. 1.