County to express Bill 6 concerns to premier, local MLAs

Beaver County Council agreed to send a letter to the premier and MLAs expressing its concern over Bill 6, the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act, which requires farms to provide their employees with Workers Compensation protection.

The issues of concern involve the lack of consultation with farmers and ranchers prior to the bill being introduced and passed last December, sparking numerous angry protests.

This has led many to believe the act will force family farms to also get compensation for their members and neighbours who come to help them out.

County CAO Bob Beck said the letter could express “our concerns with Bill 6 and our faith in the province to have a robust conversation” for “as long as it takes until it gets done.”

Reeve Kevin Smook (Clr. Division 1) indicated the county has received many emails from other municipalities and local concerned taxpayers (via phone and meeting at events) echoing similar sentiments… for more see the Jan. 5/16 Mercury