Farm safety consultation reached thousands

Sep 10, 2019

EDMONTON — Albertans weren’t shy about providing in-person and online feedback on the repeal and replacement of the failed 2015 Farm Bill – Bill 6.

Provincial farmers and ranchers were given the opportunity to offer input on practical safety rules through a variety of methods, including industry meetings, engagement sessions and an online survey.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreesen noted, “We promised Albertans we would consult first and legislate second – and that’s exactly what we’re doing. We put over 8000 kilometres on the truck this summer, hearing from close to a thousand farmers, ranchers and workers across Alberta. We’re taking this feedback and building common-sense farm safety legislation that works for the people, not against them.”

The consultations on farm safety legislation were held across the province from July 25 to Aug 30, with an average of 32 participants at the 25 engagement sessions. The public survey ran from July 12 to Aug. 31, with more than 1,200 completed submissions.

Agriculture and Forestry is now compiling the input and working with Alberta Labour and Immigration on data analysis, policy options and the legislative package.

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