Manitoba NDP Ag Critic Questions MASC Layoffs

May 15, 2020

Manitoba NDP Agriculture Critic Diljeet Brar doesn't understand why the province has decided to layoff workers at Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

He says farmers still have a need for the service, regardless of the situation surrounding COVID-19.

"Cutting budget to a Crown corporation, it's unfortunate. It would impact the services that our producers are [using] for so many years. If you talk about insurance claims and if you relate it to COVID-19, this pandemic does not impact the weather patterns. It won't impact the harm the animals are doing to crops."

Brar says the reduction in service is just another thing for farmers to worry about.

MASC is being required to reduce its workforce expenses by 20 per cent as part of the province's effort to cut spending during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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