Olds mayor Judy Dahl is disappointed the provincial government passed its controversial Bill 6 without first consulting more with farmers and ranchers.
That legislation was passed Thursday in the legislature; the last day the House sat before its Christmas break.
Dahl says it's too early to know how that bill's passage will affect the Olds economy, which relies heavily on agriculture.
She also fears passage of the bill – and the strong reaction against it in the agricultural community – has created a rift between the government and ag sector that will be difficult, if not impossible, to fix.
Among other things, the bill calls for farm workers to be paid at least minimum wage, and to be eligible for workers' compensation if hurt on the job.
The legislation only applies to farms that hire non-family employees. Farms that utilize the work of family members – whether they're paid or not paid – are exempt from the legislation.
Two cavalcades of angry farmers and ranchers came to Olds this past week in regard to the bill.
The latest occurred this past Saturday. Farmers and ranchers met at Netook, north of Olds and drove their tractors, etc., down Highway 2 to Carstairs and back up Highway 2A to Olds.
Before that, on Wednesday, Dec. 9, they drove up Highway 2 and 2A to attend an information session organized by the provincial government.
More than 800 farmers and ranchers vented their frustration before government officials during a gigantic jam-packed session at the Cow Palace. Dahl and some town councillors attended that event.
“My takeaway was a total misunderstanding of why our government is hosting these sessions without any intention to suspend deliberations of the Bill 6,” Dahl told the Albertan.
“Public engagement is the process of working collaboratively with and through groups of people to enact positive action.
“It includes information sharing, consultation and active involvement while clearly communicating the purpose and scope of engagement, prior to decision-making.”
After the way it handled this bill, Dahl predicts the NDP government will have a tough time building bridges with the agricultural community.
“Relationship building is going to be difficult for the province after hearing the emotions that were released in Olds,” Dahl said. “I did hear our government truly reaching out to information-share, however, cart before the horse never is successful.”
Dahl said it's too early to know what impact passage of Bill 6 will have on the Olds economy.
During an earlier interview with the Albertan, she predicted members of the Olds Institute -- which includes representatives of ag-related entities like Olds College and the Olds Regional Exhibition -- will likely get together, delve into that question and try to come up with a strategy to deal with whatever fallout there may be.
"Relationship building is going to be difficult for the province after hearing the emotions that were released in Olds. I did hear our government truly reaching out to information-share, however, cart before the horse never is successful."JUDY DAHLMAYOR OF OLDS
