KAP works on a variety of policy issues each year that are important to Manitoba Farmers
Agriculture issues in Manitoba are diverse and impact different commodity sectors and stakeholders. Keystone Agricultural Producers works on a variety of policy issues each year. KAP is an evidence-based and solutions-oriented organization. Our policy positions originate from our grassroots process that include our 12 geographical districts and commodity group members.
Key Issues
Policy Submissions
These documents have been submitted by KAP on various issues impacting Manitoba agriculture.
All Issues
| Title | Year | Content | hf:doc_tags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 Biodiversity Strategy | 2023 | Since 1992 Canada has been a member of the Convention on Biological Diversity. During this time Canada has made commitments and developed strategies to achieve biological diversity goals. A few examples of this include the 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets and the 2006 Biodiversity Outcome Framework.The federal government announced in … | 2023 |
| Agricultural Solutions to Climate Change Report | 2018 | KAP conducted a research project to better understand the effects climate change with have on growing conditions in Manitoba. Extensive interviews and stakeholder engagement were conducted as part of this research.The findings of the research highlight the opportunities and challenges that are expected with climate change. This can include the … | 2018 |
| Agriculture Crown Land Leases and Permits Regulation Amendments | 2022 | In the past several years the agricultural crown lands leasing program has gone through a number of changes. The ag crown land leasing program is a key pillar in the success of livestock production in Manitoba.KAP has been engaged with the province and other stakeholders over the years regarding improvements … | 2022 |
| AgriStability Improvements | 2020 | AgriStability is one of many tools farmers use to manage their risk on farm. Concerns with the program have centered around equity, complexity, timeliness and predictability.In November 2020 the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food presented a proposal to her provincial and territorial counterparts on improvements to AgriStability. The proposal included … | 2020 |
| Amendments to the Grade Crossings Regulations | 2020 | In 2020 some farmers in Manitoba received letters from class 1 railways informing them of changes to the Grade Crossings Regulations. As a result of these regulatory changes class 1 railways were required to make upgrades to private grade crossings by November 27, 2021. Depending on the crossing these upgrades … | 2020 |
| Animal Care Regulation Amendments | 2023 | The Department of Agriculture is responsible for administering the Animal Care Regulation. This piece of regulation sets standards on acceptable care practices for animals in Manitoba.The proposed amendments remove redundancies and update acceptable care practice guidelines.KAP provided feedback to the department highlighting our support for the proposed amendments. Links Animal Care … | 2023 |
| Business Risk Management Programs and Cross-Compliance | 2022 | In 2022 ministers in Canadian agriculture agreed to the concept of integrating environmental programs with business risk management programs.KAP believes there are challenges with integrating these programs together. We voiced this concern with Minister of Agriculture in a letter while offering assistance with rolling out a pilot project. Links Business … | 2022 |
| Canada Grain Act Review Update | 2023 | The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is the agency responsible for administrating the Canada Grain Act. The Canada Grain Act has gone through numerous changes over the years and the CGC launched a consultation review process of the Act beginning in January 2021. The CGC plays an important role in setting … | 2023 |
| Canadian Grain Commission ‘Subject to’ Proposed Amendments | 2021 | The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is the agency responsible for administrating the Canada Grain Act. The Canada Grain Act has gone through numerous changes over the years and the CGC launched a consultation review process of the Act beginning in January 2021. The CGC plays an important role in setting … | 2021 |
| Canadian National Railway (CN) Grain Plan | 2022, 2023 | Amendments were made in 2018 to the Canada Transportation Act which require CN and Canadian Pacific Kansas City to produce an annual grain plan.KAP believes more data should be required in each grain plan. This would improve accountability and transparency within each document.KAP sent a letter in 2022 and 2023 … | 2022 2023 |
| Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops – Code 2.0 | 2023 | The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops (CRSC)began consultations in 2020 on drafting a responsible grain code of practice. The CRSC conducted 24 consultation sessions and heard from hundreds of farmers across Canada. The feedback received was used to create a revised document called ‘Code 2.0’.KAP sent a letter to the CRSC … | 2023 |
| Deadline Extension Request for BMP 503: Managing Livestock Access to Riparian Areas | 2021 | The 2021 drought across the prairies resulted in difficult conditions and challenges, particularly for livestock producers in Manitoba. During this time KAP worked with other livestock groups in Manitoba to address the concerns of the livestock industry.A large concern among livestock producers at this time involved dry dugouts and access … | 2021 |
| Deemed Trust for Fresh Produce Sellers | 2021 | Producers growing produce in Canada operate in an environment of elevated risk when selling their product buyers. Currently, there is no protection in place for produce sellers to recoup any losses in the event a buyer becomes insolvent or bankrupt. In the United States there exists the Perishable Agricultural Commodities … | 2021 |
| Ecological Goods and Services and Agricultural Land Use in Manitoba Report | 2020 | KAP conducted a research project looking at the role ecological goods and services plays in production and land use decisions. Over the course of three months KAP interviewed producers and organizations across the province to receive a firsthand perspective of the important topic of ecological goods & services (EG&S) and … | 2020 |
| Feed Regulatory Modernization | 2021 | The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is undergoing a multi-year review process of the regulations it oversees. Part of this review includes amendments to the Feeds Regulations, 1983.The Feeds Regulations, 1983 is an extensive and technical document which outlines the tolerance and parameters of registered feed. This, in turn, helps … | 2021 |
| Fertilizer Emissions Reduction Target | 2022 | In 2020 Environment and Climate Change Canada released ‘A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy’. This report outlined the government’s target of a 30% reduction in fertilizer emissions below 2020 levels by 2030.Fertilizer is an essential component in plant growth. There are concerns amongst farmers that a reduction in fertilizer … | 2022 |
| Forage Establishment Insurance Annuals Option | 2021 | KAP provided feedback to the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation on its proposed forage establishment insurance annuals options. These proposals are part of a process MASC is undertaking to improve forage insurance offerings and increase enrolment. These actions are motivated – in part – from the release of the Manitoba Forage … | 2021 |
| Front of Package Labelling | 2022 | The Government of Canada introduced a Healthy Eating Strategy in 2016 which included plans for front of package labelling. The front of package labelling is intended for products containing nutrients above a certain threshold. This includes sodium, sugars and saturated fat. The overall goal is to improve awareness of products … | 2022 |
| International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada Strike | 2023 | On June 28, 2023,the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada issued a 72-hour strike notice. The 13-day strike that resulted impacted the loading and unloading of vessels along the west coast of British Columbia.The west coast ports, particularly the Port of Vancouver, play an important role in exporting agricultural product … | 2023 |
| Manitoba Building Code Amendments | 2023 | Every five years the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes provides an updated National Building Code (NBC) that can be adopted by the provincial government. The current Manitoba Building Code incorporates the 2010 version of the National Building Code.The Minister of Labour and Immigration stated that the 2020 national … | 2023 |
| Manitoba Expert Advisory Council – Emission Reduction Targets | 2022 | The Expert Advisory Council is part of the Department of Environment and Climate which provides recommendations to the minister regarding the Climate and Green Plan.KAP provided recommendations to the council regarding its carbon savings account emission reduction target for 2023-2027. Links Expert Advisory CouncilExpert Advisory Council and Emission Reduction Targets – … | 2022 |
| Manitoba Shortline Railways | 2021 | Shortline railways are an important part of Manitoba’s transportation system.Operating and maintaining railways is extremely capital intensive. There exist limited public funds available geared towards shortlines. KAP brought up this issue with the Minister of Infrastructure highlighting the need for increased funding for shortlines. Links Shortline Rail – KAP LetterMinister … | 2021 |
| Manitoba Water Action Plan | 2023 | The Department of Environment and Climate unveiled their water management strategy framework in November 2022. The framework outlined the goals of the department regarding water management.A few months later the department sought feedback from stakeholders in developing a water action plan. The goal of the action plan is to outline … | 2023 |
| Pest Control Products Regulations | 2023 | The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) oversees pesticide regulation in Canada. The agency plays an important role in determining which pesticides are approved for use in Canada along with setting maximum residue limits (MRL).The PMRA is currently undergoing a transformation process. Part of this process includes updating the Pest Control … | 2023 |
| Port Modernization Review – Port of Vancouver | 2021 | The Port of Vancouver handles and exports a considerable amount of grain originating from Manitoba. In fact, 79 per cent of western Canadian grain was shipped through B.C ports in 2022/23.Timeliness and efficiency are required to move grain to world markets. The Port of Vancouver has consistently ranked near the … | 2021 |
| Portioned Percentage – Property Tax | 2021 | Manitoba farmers continue to bear a large burden with the education property tax. Farms continue to grow in acres and property values continue to rise. This translates into higher property taxes for farmers.Besides advocating for the complete removal of the education property tax, KAP has also asked for relief through … | 2021 |
| Proposed Changes to Circular 6 | 2022 | Circular 6 refers to the Canadian Regulations and Procedures for Pedigreed Seed Crop Production which is administered by the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association. The document is reviewed annually to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the agriculture sector.The regulations play an important role in setting crop specific standards … | 2022 |
| Regulatory Modernization Bill | 2023 | The Government of Canada annually submits a regulatory modernization bill. The intent of this bill is to update federal regulatory requirements and while streamlining red tape.The federal government sought feedback regarding three topics: incorporation by reference, regulatory sandboxes and other legislative amendments.KAP provided feedback in support of expanding incorporation by reference … | 2023 |
| Routes: Trade and Commerce | 2021 | Farmers rely on an effective and efficient road network to market their commodities. In Manitoba there exists thousands of kilometers of highways consisting of various allowable maximum vehicle weights. The maximum allowable vehicle weight on RTAC highways in Manitoba is 63 500 kilograms.RTAC highways do cover the entire province which … | 2021 |
| Seed Regulatory Modernization | 2023 | The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is undertaking a multi-year review of the Seeds Act and Seeds Regulations. KAP has been part of this review process and sat as a member on the seed regulatory modernization working group.The Seeds Acts protects the interests of both consumers and producers while ensuring … | 2023 |
| Spring Hunting Season Extension | 2022 | The destruction of crops by waterfowl continues to be a concern for Manitoba producers. In 2020, a total of 122 claims for waterfowl damage were filed with Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC). MASC paid over $385,000 in compensation for these waterfowl claims.In August 2021, KAP along with the Manitoba Wildlife … | 2022 |
| Sustainable Agriculture Strategy | 2023 | In late 2022 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced its plan to develop a sustainable agriculture strategy. The department aims to create a multi-faceted strategy encompassing areas of environmental performance, resiliency and climate change.Farmers understand the importance of sustainability and implement practices (e.g., zero tillage) to ensure their land is used … | 2023 |
| The Animal Care Amendment Act (Bill 31) | 2023 | The Department of Agriculture is responsible for administering the Animal Care Act. This piece of regulation sets standards on acceptable care practices for animals in Manitoba.Bill 31 was introduced during the 42nd legislature. The amendments of the bill focused on the appeal process within the Act.KAP provided comments to the department … | 2023 |
| The Animal Diseases Amendment Act and The Petty Trespasses Amendment and Occupiers’ Liability Amendment Act | 2020 | Manitoba farmers live in rural areas and may be located a significant distance from the nearest police station. In areas of the province crime has been increasing which has been a significant concern for Manitoba farmers.KAP believes farmers have the right to feel safe and secure on their property.In early … | 2020 |
| The State of Rural Cell and Internet Service in Manitoba Report | 2020 | Manitoba farmers are highly dependent on a well functioning and available wireless network. Sporadic and unavailable wireless service in rural Manitoba can impact a producer’s business as well as their health and safety. As agricultural becomes more digitalized the demand for wireless networks will increase in rural Manitoba.KAP conducted a … | 2020 |
| Unfunded Manitoba Students at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine | 2023 | There currently exists no post-secondary facility in Manitoba to train students in veterinarian medicine. As a result, students receive training at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. An interprovincial agreement exists which allocates 20 subsidized seats for Manitoba students.The Government of Manitoba announced in 2023 … | 2023 |
| Veterinary Shortage in Manitoba | 2022 | There currently exists no post-secondary facility in Manitoba to train students in veterinarian medicine. As a result, students receive training at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. An interprovincial agreement exists which allocates 15 subsidized seats for Manitoba students.In Manitoba – and elsewhere throughout Canada … | 2022 |
| Wildlife Damage Compensation Program Eligibility– Livestock Predation | 2021 | Damage caused by wild animals on Manitoba farms is a continued concern for Manitoba producers. In 2020, producers made 2869 insurance claims related to big game and livestock predation.Currently, the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation provides compensation on damages to livestock, however not all livestock species or predators are covered under … | 2021 |
| Wildlife Damage Compensation Program Eligibility– Waterfowl Damage | 2021 | The destruction of crops by waterfowl continues to be a concern for Manitoba producers. In 2020, a total of 122 claims for waterfowl damage were filed with Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC). MASC paid over $385,000 in compensation for these waterfowl claims.In Saskatchewan, insurance offered by the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance … | 2021 |