By Chris Brown

For farmers, producers

Prairie NDP leaders urge governments to sign on to AgriStability program

Apr 22, 2021 | 12:16 PM

NDP leaders on the Prairies are calling on their governments to sign on to the AgriStability program that would boost compensation for losses by farmers and producers from 70 to 80 per cent.

“As we come out of the pandemic our focus must be on jobs and prosperity for everyone. In the Prairies, that foundation begins with farmers and producers,” said Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley.

Changes proposed in November to the AgriStability program would increase payouts for production losses, increased costs and effects from market conditions. An agreement was reached in March with the three Prairie provinces holding out.

“Frankly it shouldn’t be this hard to provide this kind of certainty and stability for agricultural producers across the Prairies,” Notley continued. “Alberta farmers have been clear. They want the UCP government to sign on to the full AgriStability proposal to increase the eligibility from 70 to 80 per cent. The benefits to producers is high and the cost to the government is relatively low.”

Notley said that for the Alberta government that would require an investment of about $7-10 million.

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She said no one says the program is perfect but the new agreement is better than the one in place now and producers want and need access to it now.

She adds the Prairie governments need to step up and show that agriculture is a priority when it comes to the collective economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19.

“So it continues to defy all logic as to why these three conservative premiers are dragging their feet and jeopardizing our economic future seemingly just for the sake of maintaining yet another fight with Ottawa,” said Notley.

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili said the Prairie provinces have been hit harder than other parts of the country by the pandemic. He said the governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba can’t continue to leave federal dollars on the table.

“This is a chance for our provinces, with the federal government paying $1.50 for every provincial dollar, to help the producers who are having the toughest years, the ones who need it the most,” said Meili.