Concerns have been raised over the future of Alberta’s agriculture industry as a result of Bill 6, a contentious law that sees safety as a key feature.
With the NDP government in office for only half a year, many Albertans are not impressed with the new bill being proposed to the province.
Maria Fitzpatrick, MLA for Lethbridge east says Bill 6 will bring Alberta farm and ranch safety standards in line with the other provinces.
One particular girl grew up in the city but fell in love with the farm life at the age of eight.
Alison Clapton resides south of Lethbridge where she trains horses, holds pony club runs and also teaches horse riding lessons.
Clapton has always loved life on the farm.
Since she was a young girl, the agriculture industry has taken her overseas to work in many different areas and helped her to gain a greater knowledge in farming.
“I was very fortunate to have met some of the right people,” said Clapton.
Clapton adds her horses bring peace to her life like no other animal or human has before.
Clapton has spread her love for the industry to her three children.
She says her children absolutely love it.
“My daughter Emily is a very good rider, she rides probably better than I ever did,” laughs Clapton.
“My youngest comes out and helps water the horses on a regular basis,” she adds.
Clapton fears with the new bill, her children will no longer be allowed in her barn.
She says the regulations included in Bill 6 will prohibit her children from continuing to enjoy the life they know.
“That is so sad and scary and it [Bill 6] brought a wide range of emotions into our family,” Clapton said.
If this bill is pushed through she believes she won’t be able to hold any more riding lessons because she can’t afford to pay workers compensation on every child that attends.
Petrina Hobbs has been taking her daughter to Clapton’s farm for approximately five years now.
Hobbs says by having her daughter take riding lessons from Clapton, it builds confidence.
“This has been a huge life changer for my daughter,” Hobbs says.
She adds her daughter has been exposed to the hard work and safety of the farm.
“I think it is wonderful because if my daughter ever wants to own her own horse, she will know how to look after it,” says Hobbs.
Clapton says if this bill is passed, she is uncertain of how this would affect her pony club.
She says she does have insurance, which helps in case of injuries but is still frustrated by the lack of detail provided.
“We don’t know what would be covered and what won’t be,” Clapton said.
Fitzpatrick says there is a wide range of agriculture pursuits in our province contributing to the economy.
“I don’t want to see anybody injured and not covered to the fullest extent that they could be covered,” Fitzgerald says.
She adds the government will take the time to lay out the small details, make sure the regulations are made specific to the different groups in the agriculture community.
Fitzpatrick hopes that Bill 6 will be passed before they break for Christmas holidays, with the implementation date being Jan. 1, 2016.
“That means that people are covered, it does not mean that all the consultations and regulations are done,” Fitzpatrick says.
She adds the completion of those specific details will take up to 24 months.
For further information regarding Bill 6, go to www.assembly.ab.ca.