The Manitoba government has announced provincial funding for a top-up to the AgriStability program that was proposed by federal Agriculture Minister Kody Blois prior to the federal election campaign.
Premier Wab Kinew announced $10.7 million to match federal AgriStability funding during a visit to the Maple Leaf Foods hog processing plant at Brandon, Man. on Wednesday.
Pork, along with canola products, peas, and seafood, have been hit by China’s retaliatory tariffs in response to Canada’s duties on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum.
“We’re standing up for Westman and Western Canada, and protecting your jobs,” said Kinew. “With $150 million in supports for agriculture, we’re making sure that farmers and producers can weather the economic uncertainty we’re facing and protect jobs in the agriculture industry.”
The $150 million figure referenced by Kinew included $140 million in funding for AgriInsurance, wildlife compensation, and AgriInvest that had previously been announced in the provincial budget.
The federal ag minister announced changes to AgriStability as a measure to support farmers affected by tariffs on the eve of the election. However, any changes to the business risk management program also require provincial or territorial approval, as AgriStability is funded on a 60/40 basis between the two levels of government.
The changes proposed by Blois would see the compensation rate that’s triggered by a 30 per cent decline in margin increased from 80 to 90 per cent, and the payment cap doubled from three to six million dollars per operation.
Blois’ Liberal colleague and Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne also promised to make the change to AgriStability as part of a series of agriculture-related Liberal campaign commitments announced at a dairy farm near Granby, Quebec on Wednesday.
The BC government made the changes on its own earlier this year in response to multiple weather disasters in 2024, raising the compensation rate under AgriStability to 90 per cent, as well as increasing the payment limit to $6.2 million.
While Manitoba Ag Minister Ron Kostyshyn had signaled his province would be on board, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison was not pleased with the last minute announcement by Blois before the federal government entered caretaker mode when it can’t negotiate with the provinces.
“The federal government did not consult with the Agriculture Minister, they did not provide program details, there was no funding made available, and there was no direction for officials to work on this program,” he told RealAgriculture last week.
Harrison did not say whether the Saskatchewan government would agree to the AgriStability enhancements if the offer still stands from whichever party forms the federal government after the election.
Officials with the Alberta and Ontario governments have declined to comment on the proposed AgriStability changes, noting the federal government cannot negotiate with provincial and territorial partners during the writ period.
Related:
Ag Minister Blois proposes tariff support through changes to AgriStability
“Empty promises”: Saskatchewan ag minister blasts federal AgriStability announcement
Manitoba backs proposal to boost AgriStability payouts in face of tariffs
China slaps steep tariffs on Canadian canola oil, meal, peas, pork, and seafood
