Your news this week: LHS students launch project with local seniors - Page 5 True Meaning of Christmas - Page 7 Year In Review - Pages 8, 9
www.LamontLeader.com
Vol. 11, No. 10, Tuesday, January 5, 2016
MICHELLE PINON PHOTO
Eric and Rose Frobelʼs Winter Wonderland in Chipman was a spectacular sight to behold this holiday season. The coupleʼs three lot yard was brimming with statues, wreaths, inflatables, a vast assortment of clear and coloured lights, (numbering more than 11,000), to make the festive atmosphere electric and magical for Chipman and area residents to enjoy as they walked or drove along 47th Avenue.
Panel consultations next step in Bill 6 Michelle Pinon Editor
Even though the deadline for survey responses regarding Bill 6 has come and gone, written submissions are still being accepted, said Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jessica Littlewood. “Anyone interested can submit written submissions to farmand ranch@gov.ab.ca,” stated Littlewood. She also pointed out the government will be consulting with farmers, ranchers and other stakeholders over the next 18-24 months to develop regulations.
Fort SaskatchewanVegreville MLA Jessica Littlewood According to the government website, farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders will be consulted to design workplace regulations that
reflect the unique nature of the farm and ranch industry. “Input is needed on how to best implement the changes for Occupational Health and Safety, (OHS), Labour Relations and Employment Standards legislations, as well as on what supports industry might need from government. For employment standards and labour relations, consultations will also cover possible special provisions for the farm and ranch industry. There will be ongoing consultation around technical standards for the OHS Code.”
The aim of the consultations, according to the website, would be to provide input prior to government drafting regulations, as well as afterwards. “Work will also be undertaken to research and review regulations in other provinces where similar laws already exist.” Littlewood stated that a few people had come forward after the town hall meeting in Vegreville, and asked to be “part of the conversation” and to “contribute” during those panel discussions. Those consultations will centre on six tables of representatives from a broad diversity of
agriculture operations, and will be appointed by Feb. 1st. While representatives will be drawn from agricultural producer groups, municipal governments, agriculture services boards, labour, and individual producers and employees. Lamont County Agricultural Fieldman Terry Eleniak said that was his understanding as well, but as of right now, he did not have any official confirmation regarding possible representatives, (either local or regional) to date. The tables, the province refers to on its website include: employ-
ment standards table, labour relations table, OHS general safety regulations, best practices for safety within existing Alberta farming operations, OHS unique considerations in Alberta farming operations and the interpretations of OHS legislation, OHS relevant technical rules and the education, training resources, and certification required to implement regulations. People who wish to receive updates on the panels can make a request to be added to the online mailing list, noted Littlewood.