For the past seven years, ranchers and producers have seen their way of life undermined by the PC government. The changes brought in under Brian Pallister and his minister of agriculture, Blaine Pedersen, to the Crown Land Lease system were done without consultation or regard for the impact it would have on Manitoba producers.
Ranchers and farmers faced massive increases in the cost of leases. At the same time, they were forced to compete against large, out-of-province corporations while previous provisions like unit transfers were eliminated.
This meant that ranchers and producers could not assemble the land they need to properly raise a herd nor could they ensure that younger ranchers, just starting out, could get a foot in the door to make their business viable.
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I’ve spoken to a lot of producers in our province who are fed up. Farmers, ranchers and producers have weathered flooding, drought and a pandemic. But it’s the actions of a government that doesn’t listen that is doing the most damage to the people who help feed our province.
The Stefanson government, unfortunately, is doing just what Brian Pallister did, ignoring people outside Winnipeg while tilting the playing field towards big business (and) away from regular producers.
I know it’s been a difficult few years and I know, given all the challenges, it can be hard to see how things can improve. But the way to make things better starts with listening to what ranchers and producers on the land have to say. That means better supports for young producers in this province, it means the reinstatement of provisions like unit transfers and it means ensuring any changes to Crown lands are driven by the producers.
– Ron Kostyshyn is the Manitoba NDP Candidate for Dauphin.
