"I hope this sends a strong message to any company or worker in Alberta who feels the law doesn't apply to them," said Employment Minister Thomas Lukaszuk.

"Albertans demand safe workplaces and there shall be safe workplaces."

The officers will be hired over the next three years, meaning the province will have 132 officers by 2014, a number that includes the 16 officers hired last year. That compares to only 86 in early 2010.

The ministry is also dividing the province into three enforcement regions instead of two. This will allow for a greater focus in northern Alberta, where the province is seeing the greatest industrial growth, said Lukaszuk.

"It's hard not see this as a big step in the right direction," said Gil McGowan with the Alberta Federation of Labour. "However I think it needs to be put in context."

"Here in Alberta we've actually suffered probably 15 or maybe even 20 years of underspending on health and safety, and [worksite] inspection in particular."

CBC News, Fri Mar 4 2011