Alberta's Agriculture Minister, Devin Dreeshen, has told farmers to keep an eye out for Bill 6 consultations coming to their communities.

During the BMO Farm Family awards, Monday, July 8, Dreeshen told farmers he'll be starting the six week tour after the Calgary Stampede to meet with producers and industry stakeholders to hear what farm safety regulations will work to implement through their Farm Freedom and Safety Act, which the UCP campaigned will replace the Bill 6 farm safety legislation introduced by the NDP Government back in 2015.

"It will be very grassroots, talking to farmers in their own areas to say what makes sense? What is actually practical, common sense farm regulations, rather than just, 'Here's a big giant booklet or set of regulations that you're supposed to do'."

Dreeshen says farmers are happy to see the United Conservative Party will be consulting the ag sector before moving ahead with legislation they plan on introducing to the Legislature in the fall session.

Leading up to the election, the Party campaigned the new Act will require employers to maintain workplace insurance for farm workers, but allow them to choose whether to purchase insurance from the market or Workers Compensation Board (WCB).

It will also exempt small farms from employment legislation and ensure basic safety standards according to the Party's election platform.

One consultation was already hosted in Innisfail in June with farmers and farm groups, seeing over 100 participants.

Dreeshen says he believes they're on the right track.

"We asked the question at the end of the day, 'Are these questions the right questions we need to ask to actually get this consultation done right?', and I think it was over 97 per cent said yes."

Livingstone Macleod MLA, Roger Reid, is excited to be able to host Dreeshen in the riding later this summer with a public consultation to talk farm safety legislation coming up Wednesday, August 21 in Claresholm.

"He's (Dreeshen) made a strong commitment to get out there and meet with the ag industry and make sure we get this Bill right so it does what we want it to do in terms of enhancing farm safety, but making sure we really respect the life and the culture of our agri-business folk."

Consultations this summer are also set for areas like Okotoks, Camrose, and Vegreville.

 

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