Hoping to improve safety for workers and patrons, Husky Energy has instituted a prepay policy at all of its 100-plus gas stations across Alberta.

While Alberta labour leaders are applauding what they call a bold and important step towards safety, they are asking the province to move faster on legislating prepay for all stations in the province, something B.C. has had since 2008.

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Under the prepay system, patrons must use their debit or credit cards or prepay in cash before filling their tanks.

“We are taking this step to minimize the risk to attendants and the public associated with fuel payments, in light of a number of tragic deaths over the past few years,” said Kim Guttormson, media relations co-ordinator with Husky Energy Inc.

“We lost a member of our team two years ago, which deeply affected everyone at Husky. It made us think that much more deeply about this and we moved ahead.”

In October 2015, Husky gas station worker Surinder Pal Singh, 61, died of head injuries following an altercation with a customer at an Edmonton location.

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Earlier that same year, in June 2015, Alberta’s NDP government vowed to move quickly on considering mandatory prepayment at gas pumps in the wake of a gas-and-dash death at Calgary’s Centex 16th Avenue N.W. location.

Maryam Rashidi, a 35-year-old mother, was run over by the occupants of a stolen truck who had driven away with $113.23 worth of fuel.

Joshua Mitchell, 22, was convicted of manslaughter and handed an 11-year prison sentence for her death.

But Tuesday, in response to Husky’s move, the province was still non-committal on legislation, and would not confirm if this fall’s legislature session would consider any specific changes.

“We commend Husky Energy for showing leadership on this issue and taking steps to improve the safety for their employees,” Labour Minister Christina Gray said in a statement Tuesday.

“Alberta Labour has had numerous discussions with industry and labour groups to explore ways to improve worker safety in gas stations and convenience stores. We are reviewing the results of these discussions as we determine our next steps.”

But Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, said he can’t understand why the province continues to drag its feet.

“I want to congratulate Husky Energy for their leadership on this. It’s the right thing to do,” said McGowan, who has participated in consultations with the province and industry groups targeting improvements to worker safety.

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“It’s clear that pay at the pump reduces gas-and-dash incidents and it saves lives. That’s clear, it’s virtually a no-brainer.

“So if Husky can take this step, then why on earth can’t the province mandate it for everyone?”

Last year, Husky Energy launched a pilot project in Edmonton to test prepayment technology and processes and determine how best to train attendants and educate customers, Guttormson said.

With that information, she added, Husky then began planning for a wider rollout, understanding that more than half of Husky customers already choose to pay before fuelling up. Over the next few months, Husky also plans to roll out prepayment at the pump in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.

B.C. has had provincewide legislation since 2008.

After a cabinet meeting in Calgary Tuesday, Premier Rachel Notley said the province will “probably” look at some changes around health and safety legislation, but wouldn’t say anything specific.

“The minister of labour has been reviewing that, looking at the whole health and safety legislation. Those recommendations will be coming forward soon and we’ll be looking at them and then you’ll probably see something in the course of the fall session and we’ll be considering those recommendations.”