By Tristan Tuckett (@TristanTuckett on Twitter)

Lethbridge Chamber Makes Recommendations on Bill 6

Mar 2, 2016 | 3:28 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The Chamber of Commerce has made a number of recommendations on the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act.

This comes after the Chamber met with industry representatives to get an idea of the concerns moving forward with Bill 6.

President Melody Garner says they heard that many producers want more information on what the WCB program is and how it will impact their operation, as well they were concerned if there’s enough time to get all 43,000 farms and ranches signed up on this by the implementation date.

The Lethbridge Chamber was asked to take a lead on this project because southern Alberta is such a huge agriculture community and this bill impacts our region so heavily.

The recommendations have been forwarded to local MLA’s, as well as the Premier, the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Agriculture.

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All nine recommendations can be found below.

1. Extend the deadline for employers to begin paying WCB premiums from April 30 to December 31, 2016, while continuing the WCB coverages already in place for farm and ranch workers, with consideration of the following:

a) The appropriate time needed to obtain the required knowledge to effectively implement and manage the WCB premiums;

b) Time to renegotiate private insurance plans;

c) Reduce overlap of duplicate premiums for private insurance plans and WCB;

d) Time to train staff to understand workplace safety, and their responsibilities in the process;

e) Implementation of disability management and return to work programs;

f) Reduce interference and impact to this year’s production season.

g) The need for WCB account representatives with experience and knowledge related to the agriculture industry.

2. Provide a twelve month grace period before individual employer injury experience affects their individual WCB rate fees.

3. Provide opportunities for industry associations to be involved in Injury Reduction programs such as COR, as an option to help reduce premium rates.

4. Allow for different classification categories to reflect the diverse types of work environments within the industry.

5. Consider exemptions to Workers’ Compensation regulations for youth workers similar to those in Saskatchewan.

6. Commit to revisit and review the WCB industry classifications and rate categories based on employer and industry association feedback after the completion of the consultative period.

7. Provide industry groups the historical or topical data that will be used to determine premium rates.

8. Allocate WCB funds to educate employers on the WCB process, claim management, disability management, and return to work programs.

9. Review the option for employers to access alternative sources of insurance if private insurance providers meet or exceed WCB coverages.