Reading Time: 2 minutes A coalition of Alberta farm groups wants the provincial government to put the brakes on its proposed Bill 6 consultation model. In mid-February, the province held a two-week nomination process to gather names for six separate working groups to consult on Bill 6, the controversial Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act. The problem […] Read more
Bill 6 controversy flares again
The province plans to hand-pick who it will consult with
Because I love you
Two widows discuss how forward planning helped their families carry on following the farm accidents that claimed their husbands
Reading Time: 21 minutes Jay Fox and Brian Van Camp both died in farm accidents involving loaders right before Christmas, leaving their families in shock and still trying to run their farms. Jay and Angie were Outstanding Young farmers in Manitoba and leaders in the cattle industry. Brian and Maggie were also leaders in their community and agriculture. Here’s […] Read more
Ag minister vows to listen to farm groups
Groups create ‘historic collaboration’ to fight for sensible workplace rules
Reading Time: 3 minutes After ramming through new farm safety legislation at year’s end, the provincial government seems to have changed its tune. “I want to be clear right now — we will be taking the time necessary to make sure we get this right,” Agriculture and Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier said at the Alberta Federation of Agriculture annual […] Read more
Workplace safety officers have ‘serious powers’
They include the right to compel statements, inspect what they want, and take samples without a warrant
Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta farmers are right to be worried about how the industry’s new health and safety legislation will be enforced. “Officers have some broad, sweeping powers,” said David Myrol, a lawyer at McLennan Ross LLP who specializes in occupational health and safety (OHS) law. “When the OHS officer comes knocking at the door, the playing field […] Read more
Bill 6 is law — now we need a plan to move forward
Designing practical workplace rules is a complex process that will take time, but farm groups will advocate on behalf of their members
Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta Barley is very disappointed that the Government of Alberta chose to force the passage of the amended Bill 6 through the legislature on Dec. 10. The voice of farmers was consistent regarding the lack of consultation and especially the lack of clarity about how the bill would impact farmers and ranchers across the province. […] Read more
Raising awareness about grain entrapment
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Canola Producers Commission and its Prairie counterparts have joined the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association to raise awareness of the threat of grain entrapment. “It is imperative that farm safety remain a top priority for our industry,” said Stuart Holmen, an ACPC director and producer from Paradise Valley. “We all feel strongly that educational […] Read more
Funding available for farm safety training
Reading Time: < 1 minute Applications are now being accepted for this year’s edition of the FCC Ag Safety Fund. The fund, supported by Farm Credit Canada, helps charitable and non-profit groups deliver agricultural safety training across Canada with a focus on operating machinery in a safe manner. “Tractor and machinery safety training helps develop skills for safe operation,” said […] Read more
Big Blow-Up: Workplace legislation has farmers up in arms
Skimpy consultation and lack of answers upsets Alberta farmers, even those who say the status quo wasn’t acceptable
Reading Time: 6 minutes The NDP government said it just wanted to make farms more safe, but instead ignited a firestorm. But faced with massive outrage and demonstrations from farmers and ranchers to Bill 6, the government backtracked and apologized for what it called “miscommunication.” “Myself, MLAs, ministers, and our premier have all heard from farmers and ranchers who […] Read more
Safety training for farm students
Reading Time: < 1 minute Syngenta Canada is partnering with Agriculture for Life to bring the Young Farm Workers Safety Day programming to Alberta youth. Safety Day targets students in Grades 9 to 12 with interactive sessions on the risks associated with rural and farm environments. It includes practical, hands-on learning on a variety of safety topics such as risk […] Read more
Program helps injured farmers get back to work
The Back to Ag Program helps fund adaptive technology for producers who have suffered a traumatic injury
Reading Time: 2 minutes Injured farmers are urged to apply to the Back to Ag Program, which provides funding to support the cost of adaptive technology to producers who have suffered a traumatic injury. “Through Back to Ag, we can help injured farmers return to farm work safely and productively,” said Glen Blahey, agricultural health and safety specialist with […] Read more