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LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ALBERTA David Swann, MD Leaps OFFICAL OPPOSITION OF AUBERT Hoon. Thomas Lukaszuk Minister of Employment and Immigration 418 Legislature Building 10800.97 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta TSK 2B6 January 20, 2011 Dear Minister Lukaszul, ‘The tragic death of two paid farm workers in southeast Edmonton on December 2, as well asthe death ofa firm worker in Norther Alberta in early January, is once again provoking calls for the government to include paid farm workers under the Ocewpational Health and Safety Act and the Workers’ Compensation Act will continue to urge this s the oaly responsible course of action forall workers in Alberta ‘An interim step that must be taken isto ensure that every farm death, sevious injury, or injury of| 1 child receives a full investigation, We note that, inthe case of the most recent accidents in Edmonton and Northern Alberta, Occupational Health and Safety inspectors were notable to ‘conduct an investigation due tothe continuing exemption of paid farm workers from the Occupational Health and Safety Act ‘Therefore, we request that the Farming and Ranching Exemption be amended to allow for investigations into all farm-related deaths, serious injures, or injuries involving a child. This ‘ould be accomplished by extending section 38 of the Occupational Health and Safty Act, ‘which permits the Minister to convene a board of inguiry into the circumstances of an accident, to apply tothe farming and ranching industies. ‘This change to the Farming and Ranching Exemption could be accomplished by a simple Onder- {n-Couneil and would result in a legal avenve for investigations into serious incidents involving paid farm workers. The information that would be obtained from these investigations would be invaluable in preventing future deaths and serious injuries on Albert's farms. ‘We reiterate that paid farm workers must be fully protected by al relevant workplace safety and \orkers’ compensation legislation. In the interim, however, permitting investigations into farm- ‘elated deaths, serious injuries, or injuries involving a child isa positive rst step towards improving Alberta’s farm safety record. Cordially yours, Dr. David Swann ‘Leader, Official Opposition of Alberta cc. Honourable Ed Stelmach, Premier ‘Honourable Jack Hayden, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Lepstareoftce Constiuoneyotice 2 Centre Arex sta ie etna Erie tar sree ai Eero Ab tee ‘cae Nae anaes Pow a9 2st Foe (an) sarear Poe (03) ese? calgeymourtsivengsssery aba. xonnBossenb abcd

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