Opposition parties say the government is ignoring rural Manitoba
Manitoba’s agriculture and rural communities received a few mentions in Nov. 18th’s throne speech to open the third session of the 43rd legislature.
One mention included future support for the livestock sector.
Over the coming year “we will develop the legislative tools for a new livestock inspection program that will improve the financial stability of beef operations and expand their access to capital,” Lieutenant-Governor Anita Neville said in her speech.
The speech reminded MLAs of the provincial government’s commitment to invest in capital projects which will include rural communities.
“We are investing in rural economic development with increased municipal funding, a $3.7 billion historic capital investment and a freeze on Crown land leases for the third year in a row,”
The speech also highlighted a budget promise Premier Kinew’s government followed through on.
In September, MASC opened two new offices in Shoal Lake and Virden.
These offices are supporting more than 1,000 farmers, the throne speech said.
In addition, Manitoba promised to continue working with Ottawa on China and issues affecting farmers.
“We will continue to press the Federal government to take action against Chinese tariffs to protect our pork and canola producers while we pursue economic engagement with the world’s second largest economy,” the throne speech reads.
The government provided an update on its progress to improve health care in rural communities.
The Carberry ER is open, and construction on a new ER in Eriksdale is scheduled to begin this winter.
Premier Kinew’s government is also committed to training and hiring new paramedics, “and we continue to make Advanced Care Paramedics in rural Manitoba a priority with the first fully enrolled class of ACPs and a commitment to hire all of them,” the throne speech says.
The opposition isn’t impressed with the content of the throne speech.
Konrad Narth, the Conservative MLA for La Vérendrye and the party’s critic for economic development and agriculture, says the government’s plans offer nothing for farmers.
“This government has no real plan for La Vérendrye or the hardworking families, farmers, and businesses who keep Manitoba’s economy moving,” he said on Facebook after the throne speech. “Farmers in the southeast are facing rising costs and instability from federal tariffs – yet this Throne Speech offered nothing meaningful for the people who feed our province.”