July 12, 2021

Treaty 1 Territory, Homeland of the Métis Nation, Winnipeg MB— The Manitoba NDP is calling on the PC government to step up and provide essential support to producers and ranchers across the province who are facing one of the worst droughts in decades.

“Farming families have been struggling with these conditions for weeks,” said Manitoba NDP Agriculture Critic Diljeet Brar. “But the PC government refuses to help. They made life harder more expensive for ranchers and producers by increasing Crown Land leases and refusing to sign onto the national AgriStability program. And now the PCs are leaving ranchers and producers to fend for themselves as they face the worst conditions in decades. Manitoba’s farming families support all of us – it's time for a government that supports them.”

Over the last several years, Manitoba producers have begun to feel the impacts of climate change. This year’s drought will have lasting financial impacts on producers and ranchers who are struggling with a lack of water for their crops and herds. Many producers and ranchers are incurring additional costs this year as they independently source water and feed. On top of severe drought conditions, there is an increased grasshopper infestation this year which is further damaging crops, increasing pest management costs and leading to additional stress for farming families.

The Manitoba NDP is calling on the province to immediately:

• Offer freight assistance so that producers can afford to haul feed;

• Suspend increases to Crown Land leases for 2021;

• And sign onto Federal AgriStability program to ensure that producers are adequately compensated for their losses to their harvest this year.

“Supporting producers and ranchers is good for families and good for the economy,” said Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew. “It’s time for the PCs to lend them a helping hand so they can make it through this difficult year.”