[Derek Sutton]

The biggest problem is that the NDP are pushing this through with so many unanswered questions, that is the big reason there is so much opposition. We all can agree that safety awareness should be at the forefront of all occupations, and for all employees. We can also agree that treating and paying workers fairly should be common practice.


All the opposition however is because we all know it will not stop there, riding helmets in place of cowboy hats, children not being able to help their parents, or heck even go ride the motorbike/ horse without filling out a JSA, equipment inspection and service records from qualified heavy duty mechanics. Nobody really knows or has admitted what will become of all of this but farmers have real reasons to rally against this. Could parents potentially be fined or charged due to the accidental death of one of the own children? this could be the reality of imposed OHS regulation.


Aside from small family farms, the Hutterites will really have a problem with this not only with the pay issue but many of them run side "businesses" such as gravel pits, construction, concrete finishing, plastics manufacturing to name a few that I know of, where they do not have to have proper insurance, WCB, wages to pay etc... and that is not right. This allows them to severly undercut any competitors who have numerous expenses and taxes to pay.