The Manitoba legislature went back to work last week and started off a new session with some promises for farmers. In its speech from the throne, the NDP government said it plans to reduce crop insurance premiums this year because of low grain prices.
It will also roll out Project 2000, a program announced during last year’s provincial election to help older farmers transfer farms to younger producers.
The program will include mentors who will help young or beginning farmers improve management skills.
The government said it will introduce new strategies this session to protect drinking water, lakes and rivers.
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It will develop new supports for watershed management plans to address drainage problems, according to the speech from the throne.
The speech also alluded to recommendations from a panel on livestock expansion issues, which is expected to report to government this month.
And, in light of a new International Joint Commission report showing Manitoba is ill-prepared for another flood in the Red River Valley, the government pledged to work with its federal counterparts to improve control measures south of Winnipeg.
The government promised to lower electricity costs for rural Manitobans. It plans to create a uniform residential hydro rate for the province based on the lower rate Winnipeggers now pay.
Currently, average monthly electrical bills in small rural communities are more than $10 higher than average city bills.
The government said it will announce a plan to recruit and retain doctors in rural Manitoba, including increasing admissions to the University of Manitoba’s faculty of medicine.
