This release was issued under a previous government.

Six technical working groups will be established to develop recommendations on how employment standards, occupational health and safety, and labour relations requirements should be applied given the unique needs of employers and employees in the agriculture sector.

“Farming is more than a job, it’s a way of life, and this government recognizes that. These technical working groups will provide an opportunity for a broad and diverse range of voices from the farming and ranching sector to ensure their way of life is preserved, while at the same time ensuring waged workers come home safely at the end of each day.”

Oneil Carlier, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry

The nomination process will identify representatives from the agricultural sector, labour groups, and technical experts. Each working group will be chaired by an independent and impartial individual with demonstrated mediation, consensus, and board governance experience. Additional information and nomination forms for working group membership are available online on the Farm and Ranch Workplace Legislation website.

Government created the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act to bring the protection and compensation of waged, non-family farm and ranch workers in line with what is already extended to other workers in Alberta and similar to what’s in place in other provinces, where family farms continue to thrive.