Residents in the Municipal District of Acadia and Cypress County who suffered damage can access one-time grants
The Alberta government has earmarked another $200,000 to assist farmers and ranchers affected by an Oct. 17, 2017, prairie fire in the province’s southeast.
Provincial Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier said funds in the one-time grant can be accessed by residents in the Municipal District of Acadia and Cypress County who sustained losses. Details of how people would apply and how the money will be distributed remain to be determined.
The Oct. 17 fire burned homes, outbuildings, fences, stored feed and thousands of acres of land in both Alberta and Saskatchewan, and also killed cattle that couldn’t escape its rapid, wind-driven spread.
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Most tragically of all, it took the life of an Alberta rancher and volunteer firefighter.
Carlier said the grant is in addition to the interest-free loan program organized by the government, as well as the on-farm water management program.
“We’ve heard from producers over the past few weeks that a lot of their losses were insurable but for one reason or another didn’t take advantage of the programs that are available, so we’re announcing a one-time grant of $200,000,” the minister said.
The government will work with community associations and the two municipalities regarding distribution of the funds.
“They’ll have on-the-ground knowledge to ensure the funds are distributed where they need to go,” said Carlier.
Brent Williams, chief administrative officer for the MD of Acadia, said the grant is “a step in the right direction.”
Though the fire caused damage in several rural municipalities, Williams said Acadia and Cypress were hit the hardest.
The government last fall announced an interest-free loan program for farmers and ranchers affected by the fire, but many did not consider the maximum of $25,000 sufficient.
Williams said Acadia and Cypress hope to convince the government to increase that amount, and a meeting with officials is planned later this month.
“We’re going to ask for more dollars,” he said.
“Instead of $25,000, make it $100,000. It won’t affect the dollar amount they’re distributing but it will give those producers the ability to apply for a larger amount. The ones who really need it, they need more than $25,000.”
