Kenney promising to repeal workplace health and safety rules for farmers

Jason Kenney is promising to replace legislation that extends workplace health and safety rules to farms in Alberta if the United Conservative Party wins the spring election.

Kenney says the N-D-P government failed to properly consult with farmers when it brought in Bill 6 mandating employment standards for farms and making farm workers eligible for workers’ compensation should they be hurt on the job.

The rules apply only to paid farm workers and provide flexibility on standards and working conditions tailored to farm and ranch work.

But Kenney says farmers still face daunting increases in costs due to the workplace rules.