MPs Defend the Benefits of Supply Management

By Elmer Heinrichs

Members of Parliament (MP’s) are rallying to bolster Canada’s supply management system of protecting dairy and poultry prices amid trade deals and emphasizing that the supply-management system could be a good option for lowerincome countries to do the same which in turn lessens reliance on imports.

A House of Commons trade committee was set to undertake its final, detailed review meeting to talk about a Bloc Que- becois bill that would make it harder for new trade negotiators to chip away at the system that controls quotas and prices.

Since 1972, the federal and provincial governments have regulated the supply and cost of dairy, eggs, and poultry by placing steep tariffs on imports, preventing surpluses and shortages that cause significant price fluctuations and decrease interprovincial trade disputes.

But the rules have been tweaked several

Flood Outlook Worsens for Red River Corridor

By Elmer Heinrichs

Floodwaters will rise a little higher than first anticipated along the Red River this spring, but experts say we’re unlikely to see a repeat of last year’s water levels.

There is a major risk of flooding on the Red River and a low to moderate risk of flooding in most other Manitoba basins, the province’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre said in its latest March flood forecast.

Precipitation in the northern United States is to blame for the revised outlook, the province said in a release.

As the melt continues, river flows and levels are expected to increase in the next few days and ice on Manitoba’s lakes, rivers and creeks will weaken. Ice conditions can change rapidly without warning and Manitobans are reminded to keep off ice as the temperature continues to rise.

The flood protection level of community dikes and individual flood protection works in the Red River basin are higher than predicted flood levels and are expected to protect communities and properties in the region.

The risk of spring flooding is generally low throughout the Whiteshell lakes area and along the Souris, Roseau, and Rat Rivers.

Water levels throughout southern Manitoba are expected to remain below community and individual flood protection levels.

The centre report that, “While most tributaries have already peaked or are near their peak within these impacted areas, flows and levels will continue to rise in major rivers, including the Red and Assiniboine rivers,” says a flood update from the province.

times over the past decade as Canada negotiated trade deals and agriculture groups have not been happy.

Last fall, the UN special commentator on the right to food told a committee the supply management system could be shared with poorer countries to help them stabilize food prices.

The Liberals have said they support the proposed Bloc bill to strengthen the supply management system.

Run-off from this latest weather system will start on the weekend as temperatures begin to rise.

Meanwhile, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk said Friday the province continues to repair infrastructure damaged by last spring’s flood, which cost the province an estimated $193.5 million.

Over $9 million worth of work has been completed and another $45 million worth of work has been tendered, Piwniuk said. Repair work is expected to continue through 2025.