Farmers organize convoy from Carstairs to Olds to challenge Bill 6

The convoy stretched down the highway as farmers and ranchers made their way to Olds to discuss Bill 6.

The controversy over Bill 6 continues and on Wednesday farmers and ranchers fired up their trucks and tractors to take part in a convoy down a southern Alberta highway to protest the legislation.

The bill proposes worker’s compensation benefits and health and safety regulations for paid workers on farms and Alberta producers say the plan will hurt their lifestyle and livelihood.

The NDP government has made amendments to the bill to omit immediate family members and volunteers but those opposed say that’s not enough and they are calling on the province to kill the bill.

Farmers and ranchers have organized a number of rallies since the bill was introduced three weeks ago and are demanding the government pull the bill until more consultation can be done.

“Why do we not consult with the farmers? Perhaps go around and ask the wheat people or the Barley Commission or the Cattle Commission, please send us some people that you feel comfortable to represent you in this case and we can all sit together and work something out and then present that, instead of people that maybe never, ever made their living off the land deciding on how I should do my business,” said Wilhelm Vohs.

Dozens of protesters drove their farm vehicles down the highway to Olds on Wednesday morning for a meeting at the Cow Palace to talk about the proposed bill and amendments.

“We haven’t seen anything in amendments. I’ve been asking for several days to see the amendments, I think we have a right, it’s an omnibus of bills, you know, the Employment Standards Act, WCB, OHS, all being rushed into one, it’s very concerning. I mean, with my safety background, the amount of money it’s going to cost to implement this, are we going to be subsidized? Are we supposed to just trust? I need stuff in writing as does everybody else here I think. There’s a real lack of trust now and if this is a real consultation, I want some real feedback, some real conversation. “said Myrna Kalev-Kleppe from Eckville.

On Tuesday, house leader Brain Mason gave notice to limit debate on the bill saying that the opposition is trying to slow the process down.

"They try to slow things down, so the government has to invoke closure and then they point to the government and say, 'Look, the government is being very undemocratic and they don't want debate,' said Mason. ­­"The people of Alberta expect us to be here and do our job and get the business of the house done."

The Wildrose tabled a petition on Wednesday saying it was signed by over 30,000 Albertans who are opposed to the bill.

“I’ve never seen anything like this. Unlike NDP MLAs, Wildrose believes it’s our job to make sure the voices of our constituents are heard at the legislature,” said Wildrose Shadow Agriculture Minister Rick Strankman. “Our entire Wildrose caucus is proud to present this petition and commends the work done by Albertans across the province to gather signatures.”

Alberta's Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour, Lori Sigurdson, says the bill will go forward but that they will continue to work on the details.

“It’s about safety for farm workers and we want to make sure that farm workers have the same rights all other workers do in Alberta and across Canada and we are going ahead with this,” she said. “The details about the regulations are really, I think, what people are concerned about, and we’re going to continue for the next year, 18 months, two years if it takes, to go back and forth to make sure we get those regulations right and make sure the unique culture, the unique way of life of farming and ranching will continue, but we need to make sure that people are safe now.”

She says they are consulting with farmers and that the technical aspects of those safety regulations take time.

“I think we are consulting them and we are going to continue to for the next 18 months, longer if needed, and we’re going to make sure that we get it right for that sector and I think the amendments go a long way to show them that we are understanding the unique nature of the farming and ranching community and making sure that farm families, whether paid of unpaid, are exempt from this,“ she said.

Premier Notley has already said she plans to have the legislation in place by January 1, 2016.