E-Newsletter
SPRING IS IN SIGHT
Across western Canada, the prairie crocus is an indicator that winter has gone and warmer weather is here to stay. As the Canadian Cattle Association notes, the flower benefits from the managed grazing of cattle. Cattle don't eat the plant, but their grazing provides nutrients to help the soil thrive, among other benefits. (Photo credit: Melissa Atchison)
In this edition...
Reminder
The Advance Payments Program gives Manitoba producers access to low-cost cash advances of up to $1M based on the expected value of their agricultural product. Have questions? Click on the Manitoba Livestock Cash Advance graphic or call toll-free 1-866-869-4008.
Electors Can Register Just Before They Vote
(April 24, 2025 Elections Canada News Release)
• Electors who are not registered can still vote in the federal general election on
Monday, April 28. They can register at their polling station on election day just before they vote.
• To find their polling station, all electors need to do is enter their postal code online or call 1-800-463-6868.
• Unregistered electors can also enter their information online, print a pre-filled registration certificate and bring it with them for faster service at the polls.
• To register and vote, electors must prove their identity and address. Information on the ways they can do so, including a list of accepted ID, is available online.
Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency that reports directly to Parliament. For more detailed information from Elections Canada about the election process go to: https://www.elections.ca/home.aspx
Links to Political Parties’ 2025 Election Platforms
The 2025 federal election is taking place Monday, April 28th. The following are links to the various parties’ election platforms. https://www.conservative.ca/change/
https://liberal.ca/plan/
https://www.ndp.ca/campaign-commitments
https://www.greenparty.ca/en/our-plan
https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/issues
REMINDER: Feedback Sought on Proposed Changes to Manitoba’s Disaster Financial Assistance Regulation
Comments Must be Submitted by Sunday, April 27, 2025
MBP note: The Manitoba government is undertaking a public consultation through the EngageMB portal about proposed changes to the province’s Disaster Financial Assistance Regulation. This will include changes to who is eligible for assistance, as well as the maximum compensation amounts. More information can be found below, as well as in the question and answer document included at the end of this edition of the e-newsletter
See: https://engagemb.ca/disaster-financialassistance-regulation to take part in the consultation. The deadline to submit your comments is Sunday, April 27, 2025.
MBP strongly encourages producers who have been affected by past natural disasters to consider taking part in this online consultation to help inform the provincial government of what has or hasn’t worked for your operation during past Disaster Financial Assistance programs.
MBP has been advocating for enhancements to the DFA program to make it more responsive to the unique needs of beef producers, and believes the types of regulatory changes that are being proposed should be beneficial to those affected by natural disasters.
The following information is from background information posted on the EngageMB website
Canada has announced changes to the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA), a federal program that provides funding to provinces and territories for the costs of responding to, recovering from, and mitigating against natural disasters. The proposed amendments to Manitoba’s Disaster Financial
Assistance (DFA) Program will align Manitoba’s program with the revised DFAA to provide greater support to Manitobans and local governments during and after a natural disaster, but without passing additional costs on to program participants.
The key proposed changes to the DFA Program include:
• The DFA program will allow rebuilding of damaged assets (structures and infrastructure) to a more resilient standard (“build back better”). For assets located in high-risk areas that sustain damage, eligibility for future assistance will be contingent on mitigating the risk as part of recovery.
• Businesses/organizations (MBP note: this includes farms/ranches) that earn up to $15 million in gross revenue are now eligible (increased from $2 million). The revenue cap for eligibility can be waived for organizations offering affordable housing, essential service providers, and communal societies.
• Removal of restrictive eligibility requirements which shut many Manitoba farms, businesses and organizations out of past programs. For example, removal of restrictions that excluded farms that have more than two owners.
• Increase the maximum assistance amount to private sector claimants from $300,000 to $3 Million. The $3M maximum can also be waived for organizations offering affordable
REMINDER: Feedback Sought on Proposed Changes to Manitoba’s Disaster Financial Assistance Regulation
Comments Must be Submitted by Sunday, April 27, 2025
housing, essential service providers, and communal societies.
• Extended period of eligibility for recovery of municipal assets from one year to two years.
• Expanded eligibility of protective natural assets (not just built infrastructure) to achieve resilience and mitigation.
• New eligibility for mental health, psychosocial supports, and financial counselling for disaster-affected people.
• Expanded eligibility for delivery of nonmonetary services and supports to those affected by a disaster, including case management, transition planning, and targeted support for vulnerable populations.
• Expanded recovery supports which include greater support for temporary housing for displaced persons, community recovery and resilience planning, and post-disaster lessons learned reports.
• New eligibility for organizations to provide targeted and temporary
supports to low income or individuals, households or populations who are more likely to experience disproportionately negative recovery outcomes.
• Allowing EMO to issue payments based on proof of loss for essential belongings or non-major damage to a home or essential structure, instead of making claimants submit receipts showing repair/replacement.
There are also significant federal changes made to the DFAA, and which will flow through Manitoba’s DFA Program to disaster-affected Manitobans:
• The definition of areas at high-risk of flooding and the required standard to mitigate for assets in high-risk areas is increased from 1:100 year flood to 1:200 year flood.
• Expanded eligibility for different types of homes (fix-in-place mobile home, trailer, houseboat, collective or cooperative housing, transitional housing, etc.).
MPI launches online appointment booking to reduce wait times
(April 17, 2025 MPI News Release) Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has introduced online appointment booking for many common transactions to help reduce wait times by lowering volumes of walk-in appointments at all of its service centres throughout the province. Using the new system, customers can book appointments for the most popular customer transactions, including renewing a driver’s licence or registering a vehicle.
“Our customers are increasingly looking to book and manage service appointments online, and our new system is helping us offer that convenience and flexibility to Manitobans,” said Jeff Sass, MPI’s Interim Vice President & Chief Operations Officer. “This new tool makes it easy to book a time for our most common services and it will cut down on the time spent waiting for assistance.”
all MPI Service Centres, with customers being assisted in between booked appointments.
Self-serve kiosks are also available in MPI Service Centres. Customers can use the kiosks to book and check in for appointments, helping to ensure everyone receives timely assistance as they access MPI’s frontline services. Since the launch, 93 per cent of MPI customers have booked an appointment online or through a kiosk. Thirty-five per cent of those appointments were made by rural customers
Customer feedback on the online booking system and kiosks has been extremely positive, with more than 90 per cent of customers saying the tools are easy to use and 80 per cent saying the wait time for service met their expectations.
For more information on MPI’s online services, go to: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/online-services/
Building on the Corporation’s existing booking options for Class 5 and 6 driver licensing knowledge and road tests, MPI expanded its online offerings with a successful pilot program in November 2024 that has now become fully operational. Since November, more than 90 per cent of customers have been seen within 10 minutes of their appointment time. Previously, only 62 per cent of customers were under that threshold. Walk-in service remains available at
All nominations must be submitted to info@beefresearch.ca no later than May 1, 2025, with three or more letters of reference that speak to the nominee’s influence on Canada’s beef Industry. Click here for more information.
Producers Sought to Participate in Agroclimate Impact Reporter Surveys
(April 25, 2025 Notice from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) The Agroclimate Impact Reporter (AIR) is back for the 2025 season!
Please help Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC) understand the local conditions and the weather/climate related impacts you’re experiencing. As we begin the 2025 growing season we are optimistic as drought conditions are improving in most regions of the country. Even if your area is not experiencing any significant issues, please let us know the conditions in your area as these reports help confirm what we are seeing in our other data sets. Please respond to one of the links below:
English French
• AIR provides producers an opportunity to provide information to AAFC on how weather and climate conditions are impacting your farm.
• We are interested in the impacts of Weather on things like water supplies, feed production, soil moisture conditions and crop stress.
• The surveys are anonymous and the information you share cannot be tied to you or your email address.
This information is extremely valuable and provides confirmation and details that are required to assist with various programs and activities of AAFC, including the Canadian Drought Monitor, Livestock Tax Deferral and AgriRecovery.
As always, consider sharing these links with your colleagues and networks. We are looking to grow the network and increase the number of responses we receive through this growing season.
To view previous Agroclimate Impact maps, follow this link. Or see some of the other resources we produce on the AAFC Weather and Drought home page. Thank you for your participation, and have a great week!
Katharine Cherewyk, Executive Director of Agriculture in the ClassroomManitoba, along with Carson Callum, AITC-M board member and MBP General Manager, at the 36th AGM on April 24, 2025. (Photo courtesy AITC-M)
MANITOBA BEEF PRODUCERS 2025-26 Scholarship Intake
Manitoba Beef Producers is pleased to make available six $1,000 scholarships annually for MBP members or their children attending a university, college, other post-secondary institution or pursuing trades training. Preference will be given to those students pursuing a field of study related to agriculture or to those acquiring a skilled trade or pursuing a career that would be beneficial to the rural economy.
This application process is for students who will be undertaking post-secondary studies or trades training in the 2025-26 academic year. The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025.
The scholarship criteria are as follows: Eligibility:
• Must be an active Manitoba beef producer or the child of an active Manitoba beef producer Note: This can also include active beef producers returning to school after a period of time in the workforce.
• Must be pursuing post-secondary studies or trades training in the 2025-26 academic year.
• Post-secondary programs or trades training must be a minimum of one academic year in duration.
Items You Are Required to Submit:
• The completed application form;
• Either a typed 600-word (maximum) essay OR a 5-7 minute maximum video submission discussing the topic “What the beef industry means to my family, my community and Manitoba.” Also, you need to identify in the essay or video the reasons you enjoy being involved in agriculture*;
• A copy of your transcript (either high school, or a recognized college, university or trade school);
• Proof of enrolment in a recognized institution (current transcript, or your acceptance letter, or a letter of intent indicating your intended institution and field of study for 2025-26);
• A list of your community involvement (e.g. 4-H, community clubs, volunteer work, etc.); and,
• The names of two references, including their addresses and telephone numbers
*Note: Scholarship winners’ essays or video submissions and photos will be published in Manitoba Beef Producers’ newspaper Cattle Country in fall 2025 or posted to MBP’s social media channels and website.
The completed application, all supporting documents, references, required essay or video, etc. must be submitted to MBP no later than 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 20, 2025 to the attention of:
Manitoba Beef Producers Scholarship Committee
220 – 530 Century Street
Winnipeg MB R3H 0Y4
E-mail: info@mbbeef.ca
Fax: (204) 774-3264
For more information, including steps on how to submit your video, please contact Manitoba Beef Producers at 1-800772-0458 or email info@mbbeef.ca. A selection committee will review the submissions. Winners will be notified by September 12, 2025.
MBP 2025-26 Academic Year SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
PLEASE PRINT
Name:
Mailing address: _______________________________________________________________________
Telephone: _____________________________
Date of birth: _____________________________
Email:
Parents’ names if you are under 18: _______________________________________________________
Are you a beef producer? _____________________________
Are you the child of a beef producer? ________ If yes, what is their name(s)? __
Current institute of enrolment: ________________________________________________________
Institute and your intended program of post-secondary study or skilled trades training in 2025-26:
Duration of post-secondary program or skilled trades training: _________ year (s)
Essay or Short Video Submission Requirement: Please submit either a typed 600-word (maximum) essay* OR a 5-7 minute video on the topic “What the beef industry means to my family, my community, and Manitoba.” Also include the reasons you enjoy being involved in agriculture. No preference will be given to either option.
*Note: Scholarship winners’ essays or video submissions and photos will be published in Manitoba Beef Producers’ newspaper Cattle Country in fall 2025 or posted to MBP’s social media channels and website.
Please return the following no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 20, 2025:
• completed application form;
• typed essay or video submission;
• a copy of your transcript;
• proof of enrolment in a recognized institution or an apprenticeship program (current transcript, letter of acceptance, or a letter of intent to pursue further studies);
• a list of your community involvement; and,
• your references
To: Manitoba Beef Producers Scholarship Committee
220 – 530 Century Street Winnipeg, MB R3H 0Y4
Email: info@mbbeef.ca Fax (204) 774-3264
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2025 CANADIAN BEEF CHECK-OFF AGENCY AWARD
It is no surprise that Canada’s beef industry continues to focus on the engagement of young entrants into the beef industry, whether that be grassroots producers, future leaders of our national and provincial organizations, or industry partners along the value chain.
The Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency (the Agency) continues to diversify its youth strategy with the renewal of the annual scholarship, aimed at students who intend to make an impact in Canada’s beef industry.
The scholarship is open not only to beef producers and those directly involved with their families, but it is open to students who can see unique ways to make an impact through marketing, research, public engagement, and other areas where check-off dollars are invested to generate value for the beef industry in Canada.
“We are working hard to ensure that we are engaging the next generation of industry leaders,” said Trevor Welch, Agency Chair. “This scholarship allows us to reach pockets of young producers that we often find it challenging to connect with.”
Adeleen Bolduc, the Agency’s Youth Member and member of the scholarship committee, sees value in the extensive range of career paths that can help shape Canada’s beef industry.
“Our scholarship outreach is one of the most successful communications programs to date at the Agency ”, said Bolduc. “We have been focusing on different platforms to get the word out to young beef industry stakeholders and it has been extremely positive.”
While preference may be given to applicants who are beef producers or have a background in agriculture, it is not a requirement for the scholarship.
Applicants are asked to submit a 1-2 minute video, showcasing their desire to improve and grow Canada’s beef industry in a unique way. The investment of the beef check-off in Canada delivers value to the beef industry, and the scholarship seeks to support those who want to make an impact in the same way.
The deadline for scholarship applications is June 30, 2025 and the selected applicant will be announced during the Agency’s AGM in August 19, which will be held virtually.
Apply by June 30 at cdnbeefcheckoff.ca/scholarship
Trevor Welch, Agency Chair
Adeleen Bolduc, Agency Youth Member
CANADIAN BEEF CHECK-OFF AGENCY
SCHOLARSHIP
The Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency has established a scholarship to encourage and support students pursuing post-secondary studies in the field of agriculture, agricultural research, or with an agriculture background pursuing studies in marketing or other areas of impact to the beef industry.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible for the $2000 scholarship, applicants must:
• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• be accepted to or attending a designated post secondary institution
• be accepted to or attending a full-time program relating to:
• agriculture or agriculture business
• marketing, communications or public relations
• science and research including veterinary medicine
• human health and nutrition
• policy and economics
Note: Preference will be given to applicants who are active beef producers or have a background in agriculture, but it is not a requirement.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must submit to the Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency:
• an application form
• a link to a creative video no longer than two minutes, showcasing how their background in agriculture, paired with their education, can help grow the future of the beef industry in Canada
• an official acceptance letter or current enrollment document to a designated post-secondary institution
Videos must be posted to YouTube, marked as public, and the link shared in the application form.
The recipient will be selected by committee on the basis of video content, and desire to improve and grow Canada’s beef industry in a unique way. Knowledge and understanding of Canada’s national beef strategy, checkoff system and national beef organizations is preferred.
Changes to Manitoba’s Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) Program
FAQs for Farms, Businesses and Non-Profits
What Are the Core Changes to the DFA Program?
• Manitoba is changing its Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program to help people, organizations and communities build back better.
• Manitoba’s new DFA program recognizes fixing the same damages over again isn’t effective or sustainable. It’s a lot smarter to invest in risk mitigation and protective improvements.
• The new DFA program also recognizes that people and communities need more holistic recovery support after disasters.
• Manitobans will see an immediate increase in support through the new program.
o We are cutting red tape to provide assistance more quickly.
o We are expanding the program to cover more farms, businesses and nonprofits.
o The amount of support we can provide is increasing, and new types of support − such as upgrades to help prevent future damage and mental health counselling − will be available.
• Manitoba will be implementing additional supports incrementally as we develop agreements, policies, and tools for new programming:
o Targeted support for vulnerable people.
o Additional disaster mitigation funding to address vulnerabilities across Manitoba.
o Supports for recovery and resiliency planning.
What Is Not Changing?
• Manitoba’s DFA Program will continue to be a program that provides financial assistance for the recovery needs of Manitobans following an acute natural disaster.
• DFA remains a post-disaster program.
• Expenses are eligible only if adequate insurance is not available.
This information is based on draft regulation. Feedback from online consultations will be shared with government and may result in changes to the regulation before it becomes final.
How Can I Share Feedback?
• The draft regulation will be open for public comment until April 27, 2025 on the EngageMB website: https://engagemb.ca/disaster-financial-assistance-regulation
• Manitoba EMO welcomes feedback at any time and may be contacted at dfa@gov.mb.ca
Where Can I Learn More?
• The draft regulation is available for review on the EngageMB website: https://engagemb.ca/disaster-financial-assistance-regulation
• Manitoba EMO will be hosting a series of targeted webinars in April 2025 for: local authorities and watershed districts; individuals, homeowners and tenants; and small businesses, farms and non-profit organizations.
Links for public webinars are on the EMO website: https://www.gov.mb.ca/emo/dfa/webinar.html
• Manitoba EMO will continue to engage with stakeholders in the coming months.
What Happens if There is an Event This Spring?
• Manitoba will be ready to manage a DFA program under the new rules if a major disaster strikes this spring.
• Manitoba EMO will provide training and support to help local authorities, organizations, and households navigate the new program.
How Will Manitoba EMO Help Organizations Manage These Changes?
• Manitoba EMO is working to simplify processes and provide more support.
o A dedicated liaison will answer claim questions and ensure all required documentation is submitted.
o Manitoba EMO is developing tools, templates and guidance documents to help organizations manage their DFA claims.
o Manitoba EMO is working to better serve agricultural producers and their unique needs. On our radar: inspectors and evaluators with an agricultural background
This information is based on draft regulation. Feedback from online consultations will be shared with government and may result in changes to the regulation before it becomes final.
How Does Build Back Better (BBB) Funding Work?
• The new DFA program allows organizations to build back better, unlike the previous program which would only cover the cost of repairs to pre-disaster conditions.
• All damaged assets can receive the equivalent of 15% of the cost of standard replacement value − which is the cost to repair the asset to pre-disaster conditions −to undertake disaster-resilient enhancements.
o These enhancements must align with published disaster resilience guidelines.
o Manitoba EMO is developing a Manitoba-based Disaster Resilience Enhancement Guide that outlines eligible activities
• Upgrades required to meet building codes and standards will continue to be considered standard recovery costs.
Why is the Deductible Changing for Individuals and Organizations?
• Manitobans are expected to share in the cost of their recovery.
• The previous program applied a 20% deductible to all private sector claims.
• The new program applies a minimum deductible of $2,500 or 20%, whichever is greater.
• The new minimum deductible ensures that assistance is focused on those that who cannot recover without government assistance.
• DFA is a program of last resort and is not a substitute for insurance.
• Expenses are eligible only if adequate insurance is not available.
What Triggered These Changes?
• Canada released new Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) that set the rules for providing disaster assistance to provinces and territories.
• The new rules took effect on April 1, 2025. More information is on the Public Safety Canada website
Why is Canada Changing Its Program?
• The previous program expired on March 31, 2025.
• The rising frequency, impacts, and costs related to disasters drove Canada to initiate a review of its Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements.
• The previous program would only pay to rebuild to pre-disaster conditions. Canada recognized the need to build back better and invest in disaster risk reduction.
This information is based on draft regulation. Feedback from online consultations will be shared with government and may result in changes to the regulation before it becomes final.
Does Manitoba Have to Follow Canada’s Rules?
• No – provinces and territories set their own rules for financial assistance.
• Manitoba has historically aligned its DFA program with Canada’s DFAA to maximize cost-sharing with Canada for disasters.
• Manitoba is not required to expand the program to receive federal support for other eligible costs – it is choosing to invest in improving recovery outcomes and building more resilient communities.
Why is Manitoba Investing in a More Costly DFA Program?
• Changes to Canada’s DFAA will download a greater share of costs to provinces and territories while also expanding coverage.
• Manitoba is choosing to leverage Canada’s new DFAA to expand recovery supports and build back better following a disaster.
When Will These Changes be Complete?
• Canada’s new DFAA were only recently finalized and represent a foundational shift in disaster recovery.
• Manitoba will be implementing DFA program changes incrementally as we develop agreements, policies, and tools for new programming.
• Manitoba EMO is also working to make the process simpler and faster for claimants and to improve program outcomes.
• We will provide regular updates about the rollout of new programs, policies and tools.
How are Things Changing in High-Risk Areas?
• Canada has changed the way it assesses risk – it is now using a 1-in-200 year flood protection level (1:200 FPL) instead of the previous standard of 1:100 FPL.
• That means more areas in Manitoba may be designated as high risk.
• New construction in high-risk areas must be appropriately mitigated to 1:200 to qualify for future disaster financial assistance.
• Existing assets in high-risk areas will initially remain eligible for DFA. If they experience major damage, they must be appropriately mitigated to 1:200 to retain future eligibility for DFA.
• Assets that are in high-risk areas and require additional mitigation work will be identified in the inspection process. Claimants can use their build-back-better amounts toward mitigation.
This information is based on draft regulation. Feedback from online consultations will be shared with government and may result in changes to the regulation before it becomes final.
What Is Major Damage?
• Major damage means significant impact to the safety, structural integrity or critical function of an asset where the asset is unable to function as intended and requires significant repairs or total reconstruction.
What Does Appropriate Mitigation Mean?
• Appropriate mitigation means an asset is not expected to experience major damage in an event at or below the 1:200 FPL.
• These assets will likely experience minor damage, and they would still be eligible for support if they suffer major damage in a flood which exceeds the 1:200 FPL.
• Mitigation can be site-specific or community-level protection.
• Assets that are in high-risk areas and require additional mitigation work will be identified in the inspection process. Claimants can use their build-back-better amounts toward mitigation.
General Questions About the DFA Program
What is Manitoba’s DFA Program?
• Manitoba’s DFA program provides financial assistance for uninsurable losses to essential property damaged by a natural disaster. It also provides assistance for disaster-related response.
• Manitoba’s DFA is a program of last resort and is meant to re-establish a basic standard of living and function.
• DFA is not a substitute for private insurance and does not compensate applicants for lost revenue, inconvenience, non-essential damages, injuries, or lost wages.
When is a DFA Program Established?
Not all natural disasters will result in a DFA program being established. DFA programs may be established when these criteria are met:
• The disaster occurs as a result of a natural hazard;
• Has a determinable beginning date and has or will have a determinable end date;
• Occurs in a geographic area that can be specified;
• Causes widespread damage and disruption to essential assets or essential services in the geographic area that result in a significant financial burden on Manitobans.
This information is based on draft regulation. Feedback from online consultations will be shared with government and may result in changes to the regulation before it becomes final.
Is Drought Eligible for DFA?
• No. Long-term environmental conditions, such as droughts, do not meet the requirement for a disaster to have a definable start and end date. This is also the case for other prolonged and underlying weather conditions such as El Niño or La Niña cycles or climate change. While these may contribute to the frequency of storms, they are not in and of themselves distinct disasters.
Can DFA Help Producers in an Agricultural Health Emergency?
No DFA programs are only established in response to distinct natural disasters.
This information is based on draft regulation. Feedback from online consultations will be shared with government and may result in changes to the regulation before it becomes final.