Regulations for Alberta’s Bill 6 may be ready in a year

A group has been assembled to shape the legislation

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Farmers in Alberta may need to wait at least a year before they have an idea of the details that make up the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act, also known as Bill 6.

A group made up of 78 (72 members plus 6 chairs) farmers, ranchers, researchers and experts from other industries will work with six working groups to help the provincial government come up with regulations that are understandable and unique to agriculture.

The first meetings are scheduled for mid-June Alberta’s Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier said he would like regulations to be ready for next spring. He’s insisted there’s no hard deadline and getting the regulations right is imperative.

The public will have an opportunity to provide their feedback once the regulations have been drafted.

The law was passed in December 2015 and as of Jan. 1 required producers to have Workers’ Compensation Board coverage for paid employees.

Under the new law, Occupational Health and Safety officers are allowed onto agricultural properties if a serious injury or death occurs.