Wednesday, November 20, 2019 Vol. 42, No. 47
ads@weeklyreview.ca
YOUR LOCAL PAPER
Town halls and MPs to address farmers struggling with harvest Patricia Harcourt Editor
With the wintery like conditions that put snow on the ground starting in September, many farmers have been struggling to complete their harvest. This is being recognized on at least two fronts. Agriculture Financial Services Corporation hosted a series of town hall meetings "to address our clients' concerns regarding the state of unharvested acres," as stated in an AFSC press release. They were held in St. Paul, Westlock, Grande Prairie, Fairview, Leduc, and Camrose. The closest meetings that will be held take place Wednesday, November 20, in both Leduc and Camrose. AFSC states it is "ready to help Alberta producers facing difficult times…The 2019 season has not been easy for Alberta producers, as weather and other challenges have had a serious impact on operations throughout the province. With snow blanketing the province, and harvest considered finished, farmers face large amounts of potential unharvested acres. "In addition to reduced production levels, producers are
concerned about potential feed quality, the increasing price of hay, getting products to market, and, in some cases, the stability of their overall operations," said AFSC. AFSC has options to help clients with cash flow problems, offering other help if scheduled loan payments become an issue, and can extend production insurance coverage to unharvested crops until the crop can be combined in the spring or managed by other means. "Harvest 2019 has been tough for farmers," said Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen. "Trade disputes, bad weather, and big input costs have added up to be a difficult year." Meanwhile, Damien Kurek, rookie MP for Battle RiverCrowfoot, has met with other Alberta MPs "to address the crisis facing farmers following a growing and harvest season that saw many challenges and that was cut short by adverse weather conditions," stated the announcement by the MPs. "We're committed to working with our provincial counterparts and the Ministers of Agriculture to ensure farmers make it though this crisis," stated Kurek.
The group want to "immediately act" on measures such as collaborating with the province on finding solutions; ask the government to make agricultural relief programs "more responsive to farmers; "aggressively work" on getting the Chinese market open for canola sales; work to get the federal government to halt the federal carbon tax in Alberta; and demand the federal Business Risk Management Review be completed. Kurek's group states that the extra costs to use natural gas and fuel for drying and transporting crops will be an additional burden on farm families. "This is a growing crisis that puts the stability and future of our agriculture in East Central Alberta, and all across western Canada, at risk," stated Kurek. "The financial strain of this developing crisis could jeopardize the financial stability for many farm families and has the potential to impact the mental health of struggling farmers in our communities." Farmers feeling the strain of this crisis or living with depression are encouraged to call the Mental Health Hotline at 1-877-303-2642, or www.mymentalhealth.ca.
$1 includes GST
RCMP arrest property crime suspects near Kinsella On November 14, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Viking RCMP were alerted to a theft in progress by employees arriving at a worksite in the rural area east of Viking. Viking RCMP, along with Police Dog Services and several workers and citizens, were able to contain the suspects to the worksite area, and arrest a male and a female who had abandoned a stolen truck and fled on foot. Jammi-Lynn Pierce, 34, of Lloydminster, AB, and Josh Thorne, 26, of Vermilion, AB, have been charged with: • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. • Possession of break-in instruments. • Failure to comply with a probation order. • Entering on land without permission. Thorne was additionally charged with S. 94(2) of the Traffic Safety Act- Drive while unauthorized. Both subjects were released from custody by a Justice of the Peace for court appearances in Vegreville Provincial Court on December 2, 2019. "Viking RCMP would like to thank all of the citizens that assisted police while this event was unfolding. Your information sharing and support to police during this matter was instrumental in the successful arrest of these rural crime suspects and helps contribute to our overall goal of safe communities in which we live," said Cpl. Brad Mouland, Detachment Commander.
The NU2U2 store made a donation Saturday during the Holden Christmas Market. On behalf of the store, Dave Maruszeczka presented FCSS Director for Viking/Beaver Dawn Chrystian a cheque of $500 for this year's Christmas Hamper Drive.