E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP April 14, 2022
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Key Highlights from the Provincial Budget as They Pertain to the Agriculture Sector •
The provincial government tabled its proposed 2022-23 budget on April 12. The budget’s title was “Recover Together. Strengthen. Invest. Build.” It includes investments in five priority areas: strengthening health care, making life more affordable, building the economy, investing in communities and protecting the environment. The following is a rundown of key items from the budget speech and budget document as they pertain to the agriculture sector, either directly or indirectly. All Budget 2022 documents are available at https://www.manitoba.ca/budget2022/
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Specific budgetary commitments related to the agriculture sector include: o $70,000 to create the Livestock and Crop Communication Initiative to support best for sustainable crop and livestock production, wildlife conflicts and addressing the concerns of producers, the public and communities around the management of land, water and habitats. o A 14 per cent increase ($16,000) for the VetSTEP Program to increase grant assistance to veterinary clinics to attract more third year veterinary students to gain experience in Manitoba and strengthen the connection to practice here after graduation. o Nearly $99 million in Manitoba’s share for business risk management programming. This is up from $85 million in 2021/2022 and includes provincial costs to support AgriInsurance, AgriStability, AgriInvest and Wildlife Damage Compensation. o An added $220,000 to support animal disease diagnostics, disease risk assessment and response. o $150,000 in continued support for initiatives to implement Project Aspire (Accelerating Sustainable Protein Impact Results), the Manitoba Protein Advantage’s sustainable protein action plan. The budget document notes “Livestock receipts will likely moderate in 2022 due to a projected decline in hog prices from the record highs of 2021. Cattle prices, on the other hand, should increase as the North American herd experiences contraction.” The government is increasing the Education Property Tax Rebate to 37.5 per cent in 2022 and 50 per cent in 2023, saving the average homeowner $1,355 over two years. continued on page 3