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Premier Rachel Notley is in Paris. So is just about every world leader. They’re talking about a climate deal that will alter Alberta’s economy, shift billions from one corporate ledger to another, and upend employment for hundreds of thousands of workers, managers, contractors and consultants.

And what are Albertans fighting about at home?

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Farm safety.

Yes, safety legislation long since settled in all other provinces erupted in Monday’s legislature session. It also occupied a good deal of public pavement in demonstrations.

“I have yet to meet the cow that can plan her calving around weekends, after hours, and statutory holidays.”

The New Democrats are in real trouble over their clumsy handling of Bill 6. They’re starting to show signs of panic, with soothing news releases and hastily-arranged meetings with farmers and farm groups.

Too late. This rural brush fire is running wild. The government may have to bend to opposition demands that passage of the bill be delayed until spring.

The massively important introduction of climate change policy, which comes with both a quicker phase-out of coal and a carbon tax, went much more smoothly.