We wish the new provincial government the best of luck in its ‘common-sense’ approach in re-tooling some of the legislation left behind by the government it replaced. There’s a lot of wishful thinking involved, but that doesn’t mean something useful can’t come out of it.

It just isn’t going to be easy.

Bill 6 was the Notley government’s answer to the lack of protection for farm labourers. There was a gap there, no question. Alberta lagged behind other provinces in bringing farm labour safety into the 21st century. Some said it wasn’t even in the 20th yet, so far behind other jurisdictions – and labour classes – did Alberta lag.

Of course it made some farmers angry. It was pushed through without considering the impact, they said. Vote for us, said the United Conservative Party. We’ll rip it up and give you something better.

Following through on that promise, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Devin Dreeshen, is touring the province and talking to farmers. What would work? What are you willing to live with? That sort of thing.

It’s not a free-for-all. According to information sent out ahead of Dreeshen’s tour, it’s clear small farms will be exempt. It’s also plain Dreeshen imagines a scenario in which red tape (regulation) can be reduced, but safety still ensured.

The intention is pretty clearly to draw a line somewhere between big and small operators. It will result in some feeling hard done by, when they fall on the more expensive side of that line. And on the other side, there will be farm workers who have little or no protection.

So it’ll be another balancing act, because that’s what governments do. It will plug some holes and leave others gaping.