Crown ag entities in Nova Scotia under review

Feb 03, 2022

The provincial government is looking into a total of 20 properties

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Two ag organizations belonging to the provincial government are part of an overall review of multiple Crown corporations, agencies and other entities.

The Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board and Perennia Food and Agriculture Incorporated are among the 20 arm’s-length organizations Premier Tim Houston’s government is looking into.

“We want to ensure that our government agencies, boards and Crowns are effective, efficient and accountable in meeting the needs of the Nova Scotians they serve,” Houston said in a statement. “We are asking Nova Scotians to share their experiences and ideas about what is working well and what we can do better.”

This is in line with Premier Houston’s September 2021 mandate letters, which promised these reviews within the first six months of his government taking office.

The Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board (FLB), established in 1919, “supports the development of sustainable agriculture and rural agribusiness in Nova Scotia through responsible lending,” its website says.

In 2021-22, the FLB will focus on continuing to support farmers and the ag sector through the pandemic. It will also review its marketing and communication strategies to help farmers view the FLB as a reliable lending partner.

Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc., founded in 2001, is a provincial development agency.

Its mission is “to support growth, transformation and economic development in Nova Scotia’s agriculture, seafood and food beverage sectors,” its website states.

Some of Perennia’s ongoing projects include automated cost tracking for producers and helping a cricket farmer turn the insects into pet treats and supplements.

Nova Scotians have until Feb. 15 to provide feedback about any of the 20 organizations under review.

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