The Opposition Wildrose Party aren't completely sold on the NDP Government's new farm workers protection legislation.

The Government introduced legislation for first reading last week that would extend basic workplace protections to farm workers.

Highwood Wildrose MLA Wayne Anderson says he wishes the NDP had done a more research before introducing the bill.

"It's very disappointing that they have not gone out to the stakeholders and had conversations with the farmers and the farming community. It's really unfortunate because they've gone to their union people first, and asked them about it. And of course the W-C-B (Workers Compensation Board) and the O-H-S (Occupational Health & Safety) are looking to add more to their payroll, you know more unionized employees, but unfortunately the farmers and the farming community has yet to be included in any conversations with this government."

In a release the Wildrose had this to say about the legislation:

Improving safety on farms is critical, but the changes announced through Bill 6, the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act occur too quickly and need to be sent to committee to guarantee proper consultation for the family farms that will be impacted, the Wildrose Official Opposition said today.

 The legislation was introduced for first reading in the Assembly today. It calls for all farms, no matter the size of their operation, to be included under Occupational Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation by Jan. 1. This means debate, passing of legislation and implementation will all be done in less than 45 days.

Wildrose Shadow Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour Minister Grant Hunter said this dramatic change in regulations without having proper consultation with farmers could lead to bad outcomes for Alberta’s second largest industry.

“No one in Alberta cares more about safety on family farms than the moms and dads who run them. They are the experts and they need to have their voices heard on these important changes happening under sudden timelines,” Hunter said. “The NDP need to put this bill to committee instead of pushing it through in less than 45 days so Albertans, farmers, and industry are properly consulted.”

Wildrose had petitioned for accommodations for small family farms that would be impacted by these changes, but the new legislation does not include any. In British Columbia, workplace safety legislation makes a clear distinction between large operators and family farms.

Wildrose Shadow Agriculture Minister Rick Strankman said as a farmer, the most important strategy for making immediate improvements begins with education.

“Farmers are the most passionate about ensuring farms stay safe, but more can be done to provide education for families and small operations,” Strankman said. “Nothing can be more effective and ensure real positive changes occur on farms across Alberta.”

A public consultation will be held December 2 in Okotoks, however Anderson says he'd rather see it in a community where there's more farming like Nanton or Claresholm.