A look at
KAP’s recent
work on
behalf of all
Manitoba
farmers
Calling for improvements to
rail-data regulations
As part of Transport Canada’s consultation
for refining data requirements of Bill C-49, the
Transportation Modernization Act, KAP filed a
submission with the federal government in conjunction
with the Crop Logistics Working Group
(CLWG). The Canadian grain sector has been a
long-standing supporter of increased transparency
in Canada’s freight rail system. CLWG’s submission
focused on the need for standards against which
to benchmark performance, the need for appropriate
contextual data to allow stakeholders to accurately
assess reported performance and changes
in performance, and the inclusion of regional and
commodity-based reporting.
Weighing in on province’s education review
– with an emphasis on funding
In response to the provincial government’s review
of the education system, the taxation committee
of KAP submitted feedback on key issues identified
by the province. The submission focused on
providing equitable learning opportunities for
all students by ensuring rural and urban students
have the same access to learning opportunities
and resources, preserving local autonomy, and
enabling locally-elected trustees to respond to
the specific requirements that their communities
want for their schools.
Also stressed is the increasingly disproportionate
amount of the province’s education bill
that is paid for by Manitoba’s farmers, and the fact
that we must move away from funding education
through property taxes and evaluate alternative
funding methods that focus on a more equitable
and sustainable funding model.
Pushing for clarification of GROW funding
In June, Manitoba Sustainable Development
announced $52 million in funding for Growing
Outcomes in Watersheds (GROW) that is based
on the Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS)
model. Even with KAP’s long track record with
ALUS, Manitoba Sustainable Development did
not consult with us on the new GROW program.
Given the timing of the 2019 provincial election,
many projects that could have been undertaken
to benefit producers and the environment were
unnecessarily delayed until the 2020 crop year at
the earliest. KAP issued a news release calling on
the provincial government to undertake thorough
stakeholder consultation with farmers, and to
provide greater details on this new program.
Stressing provincial election priorities
In July, KAP held a press conference identifying
three key priorities for the provincial election that
Enhanced infrastructure
spending was one of the three
priorities KAP identified during
the provincial election.
Ivan Kruk/123rf
18 § Manitoba Farmers’ Voice § Fall 2019