Each day for the rest of the year, 2day FM will be looking back on some of the biggest local stories of the year, as voted by our listeners. Here’s number 5:
One of the biggest stories to come out of the Alberta NDP’s first sitting in legislature this fall was the introduction of Bill 6, the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Worker Act. The bill was introduced on November 18th, and quickly created a storm of controversy from farmers and ranchers who came out in droves to town hall meetings and protest to voice their fears, anger, and frustration.
Premier Rachel Notley later took responsibility for the way the bill was communicated to ag producers when it was first introduction, but stood by the bill’s mandate to have all non-owner and non-family paid farm employees covered by Workers Compensation Board coverage and Occupational Health and Safety Legislation. The bill was officially passed on December 10th and will go into effect on January 1st, though farmers and ranchers around the province have continued to protest and petition against it.
It’s expected that process of creating the legislation will continue in the new year, along with more consultations.
