Ag groups ready to work with NDP

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This article was published 05/10/2023 (838 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ag groups across Manitoba are congratulating Premier-elect Wab Kinew and his fellow Manitoba New Democratic Party members of the legislature on forming Manitoba’s next government.

They’re also expressing their desire to work with Kinew and the NDP on issues that are important to the agriculture sector, including new policies, funding and more.

Manitoba Pork extended congratulations to Kinew and the entire Manitoba NDP on their election victory on Tuesday evening. Chairperson Rick Préjet said he looks forwarding to working with Kinew and his entire team to continue to grow Manitoba’s economy.

“Hog farmers across the province, and the over 22,000 Manitobans who work in the sector, will continue to build on the collaborative working relationship that’s been developed with the NDP over the past few years,” Préjet said.

Cam Dahl, the general manager of Manitoba Pork, told the Sun that it will be important for all agricultural groups to have a strong working relationship with the new provincial government.

“That’s something that doesn’t just start the day after the election, but something that needs to be ongoing, with all parties in the legislature,” Dahl said. “That outreach and that relationship building is something that’s important on a long-term basis.”

Manitoba’s hog sector contributes $2.3 billion to the provincial GDP each year, and Préjet said he is optimistic that the conditions for growth in the sector will continue unabated. Dahl hopes that the ag industry will be recognized for its contributions.

“Agriculture is a key driver of Manitoba’s economy, and it’s a key driver of jobs in places like Winnipeg and Brandon,” he said.

Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) president Matthew Atkinson said Tuesday’s election was a “very significant” day in Manitoba history with Kinew being the first First Nations person elected as premier.

“We look forward to working with the premier and his colleagues on matters related to our sector,” Atkinson said, while also thanking outgoing Premier Heather Stefanson and outgoing Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson for their ongoing engagement on a variety of issues facing the agriculture industry.

Those issues included the provision of AgriRecovery during the 2021 drought, continued support for business risk programs and beneficial management programs through various agricultural frameworks, funding toward the Livestock Predation Prevention Project, the funding of additional training seats for Manitoba veterinary students and support for agriculture-related environmental initiatives through the Conservation Trust, among others, Atkinson said.

Moving forward, MBP intends to engage with the new government on an array of topics affecting Manitoba’s beef industry, such as improvements to business risk management programs to ensure that beef producers are on a level playing field with other sectors, agricultural Crown lands, water management, recognition for ecosystem services provided through beef production, infrastructure, trade, labour supply and more.

All of those issues hold a high level of importance to beef producers, MBP general manager Carson Callum told the Sun, but some are timelier than others — specifically, business risk management programs.

“We’ve had significant weather-related challenges,” Callum said. “Having buy-in [to business risk management programs] from a new government will be really important.”

Callum expects the issue of Crown lands will also be brought up at the first meeting MBP has with the new government.

“I can envision that to be a top discussion in the coming weeks,” he said.

Looking at the new MLAs that are coming in, and the ones that managed to hold onto their previous seats, Callum sees a divide between urban and rural ridings that makes it imperative that the incoming government understands the importance of contributions from the ag sector.

Whoever Kinew names as his new agriculture minister, Callum hopes that they will prove to be a good fit and work hard for Manitoba farmers.

“I think that collaboration is key to ensure that proper regulation and policy are being developed that impact producers here in Manitoba,” he said.

Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) laid out its priorities for the 2023 provincial election before Manitobans hit the polls, highlighting health care, rural crime, the removal of the education property tax, labour shortages, infrastructure and more.

KAP president Jill Verwey congratulated the NDP on behalf of all Manitoba farmers.

“I would also extend my sincere congratulations to Mr. Kinew, not only for becoming Manitoba’s newest premier, but for being the first First Nations person elected to this role,” Verwey said. “While there is always work to be done as we walk the path of reconciliation together, Mr. Kinew’s election should be seen by all Manitobans as monumental in our history.”

Verwey also thanked Stefanson and Johnson for their work in supporting agriculture during their time in their respective roles and mentioned the increased funding of $221 million available through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP). She also commended the former government for the increase of the education property tax rebate to 50 per cent and support of additional seats at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon for Manitoba students.

KAP said it will continue to work with the government to best advance these and other priorities for the benefit of Manitoba’s agriculture industry and entire economy. KAP general manager Brenna Mahoney said that priorities, including right-to-repair laws for farm machinery, will be discussed with the new government.

“We look forward to engaging with premier-elect Kinew and his entire team in the coming weeks to continue our discussion on these and other key issues affecting Manitoba producers,” she said.

Verwey told the Sun that going forward, KAP will continue to represent the interests of Manitoba producers in agriculture.

“A strong agricultural community is going to provide a strong economy going forward,” she said. “I’m excited to be at the table with the new government that’s been elected and continue our discussions.”

Verwey is also looking forward to continuing to work with members of the Progressive Conservative party that held on to their seats in the election in rural areas, she added.

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