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EDMONTON — The Alberta government rejected a bid by opposition parties Wednesday to delay a controversial farm-safety bill following another round of heated debate.

The NDP caucus voted to defeat a motion to move Bill 6, the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act, to a legislature committee for further discussion.

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The government passed the bill at second reading after passing a motion to limit the debate.

Opposition parties have been talking at length in the house on the bill for a week, and government house leader Brian Mason has said the business of the legislature can’t remain at a standstill.

Mason has already served notice the government could limit further debate on the bill.

“I hope that it wraps up (third and final reading) tomorrow,” he said.

The proposed legislation gives occupational health and safety protections and worker compensation benefits to paid farm workers effective Jan. 1.