While more than a thousand farmers and ranchers from around the province rallied against Bill 6 on the steps of the Alberta legislature yesterday afternoon, Premier Rachel Notley says she will not abandon the farm and ranch worker safety legislation.
The bill, which was introduced in mid-november, has drawn considerable criticism from opposition parties and the agriculture industry alike. Notley has taken responsibility for what she calls a communication breakdown around the bill, and says amendments will be introduced to help clarify the intent of the legislation. She says the amendments will ensure that family, neighbors, and children will still be able to work on the farm, and that the bill will not interfere with the running of households or recreational activities.
According to the Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research, between 1990 and 2009 there was an average of 18 agriculture related deaths a year in the province, totally 355 deaths in that 19 year span.