The province aims to reopen two MASC service centres in rural Manitoba this year.
That was one of several bright spots for agriculture in the province’s 2024 budget released on Tuesday. Another was the announcement that the 50 per cent school tax rebate would remain in place.
“While changes were made to the School Tax Rebate for residential properties, KAP is pleased to see the 50% rebate maintained for farm properties,” said KAP General Manager Brenna Mahoney in a news release. “We encourage the province to continue working toward the complete removal of the tax on farm properties and that this is taken into account when developing the new provincial education funding model.”
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There were several initiatives aimed at livestock producers. The province announced increased funding to retain and attract veterinary medical professionals to rural areas, that they would be freezing rental costs for agricultural Crown lands, and that they would be launching a livestock predation prevention strategy.
“MBP has done considerable advocacy work on matters like these given their importance to our members, so seeing them singled out in the budget is important,” said Manitoba Beef Producers President Matthew Atkinson.
The province also announced increased funding for business risk management programs and boosted the loan amount eligible for the Young Farmer Rebate from $200,000 to $300,000 and the lifetime maximum rebate from $20,000 to $30,000.
Programs aimed more generally at rural Manitoba included restoring the rural doctor recruitment fund and increasing policing grants available to municipalities.
Keep an eye out in next week’s Co-operator for a more in-depth look at the 2024 provincial budget.
