It's a piece of legislation that many feel is overdue as the Provincial Government introduced a prepay fuel law yesterday (October 30th).

Following nearly a year and a half of consultations, the government introduced Bill 19 which is aimed at making pay at the pump mandatory and introduce other measures to protect gas station and convenience store employees.

Labour Minister Christina Gray said they've been taking this issue very seriously.

"One of the things we did in preparing for this legislation was we actually inspected 250 fuel and convenience store locations, to make sure that they were following the then current code, and to make sure that we understood what was happening on the ground while we made the decisions for what would be in Bill 19."

The new legislation will not only introduce the prepay requirement for all stations, but will allow for other violence prevention measures such as improved video monitoring, time locked safes and personal emergency transmitters for employees working alone.

Within the last three years, gas and dash incidents have resulted in the deaths of five workers and serious injuries to three others.

Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knect said the new laws will help law enforcement officers greatly.

"In addition to saving lives, the mandatory use of prepay pumps will save Alberta's Police Services countless hours spent responding to and investigating gasoline thefts, hours that will be put towards other pressing, public safety issues."

Also speaking alongside Gray and Knect was Lawrence Richler with Husky Energy. While some may have concerns over the cost of enacting these new measures, Richler said the money shouldn't be the focus.

"I don't think this is a cost issue, I think this is a safety issue. I applaud the Alberta Government for taking this step today, this is the right thing and we're doing the right thing for the right reason."

If Bill 19 passes, it's expected to go into effect across the Province on June 1st, 2018.

 

Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com