The new NDP government has announced its first official policy change on the Agricultural Crown Lands program since taking the reins this fall.
On Nov. 24, the province said it was immediately shifting plans for next year’s rent levels. The new plan will “essentially freeze rates to the same as 2023 and will provide producers with over $2 million in support,” Premier Wab Kinew said in a press release.
The announcement is an expansion of rent reductions introduced by the previous government.
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The Progressive Conservatives laid out a graduated rent reduction in fall 2022, citing disastrous weather impacts in the Crown-land heavy Parkland and Interlake. Those areas had been some of the hardest hit in the 2021 drought, while spring 2022 saw a string of snowstorms at the heat of the calving season and flood concerns.
That plan halved 2023 rents compared to the previous year. The plan was to gradually ramp those rents up again over the next several years—with 2024 rents rising to 33 per cent below 2022 levels in 2024, and 15 per cent in 2025. An election promise from the PCs later said they would make the 50 per cent reduction level permanent.
With the recent announcement, leaseholders can expect a 2024 reduction of 55 per cent below the levels laid out in their rental formulas.
“Today’s announcement is part of our promise to ensure affordability with ACL lease rates and begins to accomplish the goals set out in the minister of agriculture mandate letter,” said Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn. “We will continue to review the ACL program to ensure it best serves Manitoba producers.”
The Nov. 24 release did not say whether the reduction would continue into 2025.
In a statement released on X (formerly known as Twitter), KAP president Jill Verwey said she was pleased with the announcement.
“KAP applauds the provincial government for their announcement today on further reductions to rent rates on Ag Crown Lands, which KAP had successfully previously lobbied for,” she posted.
Look for more coverage in a future edition of the Manitoba Co-operator.
