Alberta agriculture minister defends farm safety bill

As protesters Monday prepare to stage yet another rally against proposed farm safety legislation, Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier is defending the changes, insisting it won't prohibit friends and family from pitching in on family farms.

Bill 6 would bring Alberta's 43,000 farms and ranches under occupational health and safety standards, and make workers compensation board coverage mandatory.

Critics fear the changes will spell the end of family farming in Alberta. But Carlier said the NDP government will have ample time to consult with operators and address their concerns  before the regulations are finalized.

"I wouldn't necessarily agree that it's been rushed. But the response to this is something I'm actually quite happy with, the farmers have been engaged," he said.

On Friday up to 200 protesters gathered at the legislature to call for a halt to the changes. Another rally is taking place Monday afternoon at the legislature.

Despite the ongoing backlash, Carlier said the farming community would not be well-served by delaying the legislation.

"God forbid that we have another accident, another tragedy in the province with a farm worker, and don't have these protections in place," he said.

During a Monday morning interview with CBC Edmonton AM host Mark Connolly, Carlier recalled his upbringing on a farm in Saskatchewan  and promised to keep the culture of farming intact.

"I know it's a way of life, that children do help out where they can," he said in response to concerns about the bill's impact on farm children helping out with chores. "We want to make sure that everybody on the farm is safe, but recognizing that it is a way of life, as well as a business."

Carlier said he expects that regulations affecting children will have to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

"A 10-year-old can pick eggs for instance in the chicken coop, if there is a small chicken operation, but should they actually be driving a tractor? I suggest not."

Carlier said the legislation will not prevent friends and family from pitching in on the farm.

"We know the nature of farming, neighbours help out neighbours, that's how farming works, and absolutely we recognize that."

There will be town hall meetings on the issue this week around Alberta.  An Edmonton-area meeting will be held Dec. 7.