Farmers know safety
Alberta farmers know that investment in safety pays dividends. They know that accidents damage people and their families — our most important partners — and it means down time for all.
Farmers recognize that the impacts of an accident are much more costly in many ways than the cost of an effective workplace safety program. This is why so many Alberta agricultural employers have already invested in comprehensive training and employee insurance and support initiatives on their own.
Their solutions provide better workplace safety performance and reduce lost time due to injury — and when an unfortunate accident does occur, provide better insurance coverage and benefits for employees than what is provided by the proposed government enforced WCB coverages.
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Employees know this, and when these employees hear safety messages from their employers, they also hear, “ Be careful, because we care about you.”
The relationship works.
But Bill 6 is about much more than just addressing farm safety through implementation of mandatory WCB. Bill 6 addresses other components of occupational health and safety, as well as employment standards and labour relations — all of which directly impact how agricultural operations manage their business.
The legislation appears to be an attempt to regulate and standardize employment benefits for agriculture’s highly irregular work environment.
The opening of the “Bill 6 — Pandora’s Box” discussion presents an opportunity for the agricultural industry to review the specific needs of both, agricultural employees and employers. Through an open discussion with all involved, an opportunity exists to identify the needs and components of an effective employee-employer relationship that meets the unique aspects of the agricultural operating arena.
Lets’ applaud the government for bringing this forward; but then again applaud only if the process to conduct this review and enhancement is with a fully engaged agricultural community in an open and informed process.
This is not how the process has gone to date.
Word has it that the legislation is about to get second reading, so perhaps the train has already left the station. There are good ideas out there that have yet to be heard and presented for all to hear and consider.
The information meetings being held across Alberta are now fully booked — no more attendees allowed — and lots more want in. Producers are only now beginning to comprehend what is being proposed in Bill 6. The needed information has not been provided — nor the time to study, evaluate and contribute in a meaningful way as to how to design and support an effective solution.
The racing of incomplete legislation and regulations without proper study and the industry’s involvement runs the risk of poor design and unsupported implementation. All producers should let their MLAs know their opinions now.
Alberta producers are requesting that the legislation to implement Bill 6 be deferred to a time when a more appropriate solution has been developed with input from all stakeholders and for a time when it is ready.
Dave Plett CEO
Western Feedlots Ltd.
High River, Alta.
Agribition a success
I would like to express our sincere appreciation to all that contributed to a successful 2015 Agribition.
This year’s show experience was successful on many fronts — the shows and sales were some of the best we have seen, the trade show was bustling all week, event attendance was strong, and gate attendance exceeded expectations.
Once again, the media provided excellent coverage.
Special thanks to the 400 plus volunteers that give their time willingly to make everyone’s experience rewarding and enjoyable. We couldn’t do it without you.
As we plan for future shows, we look forward to the exciting opportunities offered by the new International Trade Centre facility.
Stewart Stone
President, Canadian Western Agribition
Wall faces competition
Premier Brad Wall is again blowing his own horn and spreading propaganda through his slick advertising campaign about his good work in managing theSaskatchewan economy.
When he won the election eight years ago, he fell into booming times in Saskatchewan and this wasn’t of his doing. The previous government left him about $2 billion to work with.
Also, people were moving into Saskatchewan because of cheap farmland and housing. This influx helped cause prices of these two items to skyrocket.
Times have now changed. Wall has to deal with the reality of managing the Saskatchewan economy by borrowing money, selling land and liquor stores and P3 projects to help balance the books. It has been stated that the Saskatchewan government is running a $2-million deficit per day now.
We only have to look back to the days of former premier Grant Devine to remember when Saskatchewan was in large debt position — which we are still paying.
Wall is following too closely in the footsteps of the former Harper federal government: ignorance, dubious projects such as the Regina bypass project, and foolish ideology.
Wall need not worry about the NDP. There is a new hidden competition called Progressive Conservatives that could put this government into a minority position.
Eric Sagan
Melville, Sask.
