The NDP Government has announced changes to the very controversial Bill 6, the farm workers protection act.

Jobs Minister Lori Sigurdson says in a statement:

“We have listened to farmers and ranchers about the need for greater clarity. It has never been our government’s intention to interfere with what family members, friends and neighbours have always done on the family farm. That’s why we will amend Bill 6 to make clear what was our intention all along– that farm families would be exempt from those laws, which were designed to protect paid employees.”

The proposed amendments would:
- make it clear WCB coverage would be required only for paid employees, with an option for farmers to extend coverage to unpaid workers like family members, neighbours and friends.
- make it clear that occupational health and safety standards apply when a farm employs one or more paid employees at any time of the year.

Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier says Bill 6 will bring Alberta farm and ranch safety standards in line with other provinces, and ensure that if a wage-earning employee is injured or killed on the job, that person and their family have the same access to financial supports as employees in other sectors

Minister Sigurdson is expected to be at Wednesday's session at the Best Western in Okotoks from 1 to 4 pm.