LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Rachel Notley, MLA January 20,2011 esromnosatens tty Honourable Thomas Lukaszuk Minster of Employment and immigration 118-10800.97 Avenue edmonton ABTSK286 Dear Minister Lukassu, ‘A wesker was klled ia a farm aceldent near Peace iver eater tis month, Last month twa men died in a farm accident in Edmonton. We are saddened by evens Ike these. ut they ae also reminders that in Alberta fr too ‘many people de or are injured working on farms, yet farmers and farm workers are not covered under the (ccupational Health and Safety Act or the Workers’ Compensation Act. Despite recent announcements about more stention to esues of farm safety, the absence of legilted protection for these workers i not an acceptable situation. Paid farm workers should nat be excluded from the protection other Alberta workers enjoy. This protection was recommended in 2008 by ustce Peter Barley. While the Faality Review Board should conduct inquiries into these two recent events, without legislation that Includes such workers will remain dificult to adress any recommendations that may arse from such inquires, Itis inconsistent to say Alberta wants to improve farm safety when it does not investigate accidents to establish how they happened, farm workers and their femilies waited two years fora report on this issue. With ts industry-dominate input, ‘that report merely recommended more education and an advisory body. Ths insulting to farm workers and to the surviving families of those wha have died on the ob. Farm workers often know what they are being required todois unsafe. But they have na abilty to refuse such work, That enforced helplessness sa condition promoted {and continued by your government. Other provinces have concluded coverage of farm workers necessary, and Alberta's continued refusals shameful | urge you to show leadership on this issue and to finally provide paid farm workers the fll protection ofall relevant workplace safety and workers’ compensation legislation, Sincerely Rachel Notiey, MLA Edmonton stratheona «: Honourable Jack Hayden, Minster of Agriculture and Rural Development