In an unusual break with tradition, the federal government may offer $500 million to $1 billion in agriculture aid without demanding that a share of the money come from the provinces.
Terry Willock, Alberta Agriculture media spokesperson, said the program, still unconfirmed but widely rumoured, is an independent agriculture aid program.
“It’s stand alone for sure. We’re not expected to contribute,” said Willock of Edmonton.
Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Bob Friesen said he has also heard there will be a break from the traditional 60 percent federal money and the 40 percent provincial money needed to make agriculture programs work.
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“I had also heard it might be the case the province’s wouldn’t have to contribute,” said Friesen from his Manitoba farm.
A single source program will be a good way to get money to farmers quickly, he added.
He said the hurt in the rural area is deep enough that provincial government funding would be welcome to producers affected by BSE and hard times in non-beef industries.
“Clearly the crisis is very, very deep and the provinces really need to ante up as well.”
Federal agriculture minister Bob Speller has said he will go to cabinet this month to ask for more than a half a billion dollars to help farmers survive until the full benefits of other safety net programs kick in.
Carla Ventin, press secretary for Speller, said discussions are continuing on the make-up of the program.
“What I can tell you is the minister has been discussing for some time with his cabinet colleagues a package for the agriculture industry. The details of this package are still being worked out,” said Ventin.
She expected the package will be announced in the federal government’s March 23 budget.
