Farmers need workplace insurance and Alberta’s previous PC government knew it, according to a Sigma Risk Management report, obtained by the Alberta Federation of Labour.

Approximately 2,000 Alberta farmers will suffer a workplace accident where they take time off each year and 20 will die in that time span according to the 2015 report the previous government was presented with.

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The revelations are of note because the now-in-opposition PCs have said they would repeal increased farm safety provisions brought in by the current NDP government.

The report, allegedly seen by the Alberta PCs, also said Workers Compensation Board coverage would be the cheapest option, while the opposition have criticized it as too expensive.

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Both PC leadership candidate Jason Kenney and opposition Wildrose Party leader, Brian Jean, have made repealing the farm safety Bill 6 part of their election platform.

Mandatory Workplace Compensation Board coverage has been in effect since January 2016 but doesn’t apply to the farm’s owners or their family.


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