The Saskatchewan opposition has three reasons why the provincial
government should put its own money into water projects for livestock
producers.
One reason, Cypress Hills MLA Wayne Elhard said during the
legislature’s question period, is that some producers who started water
projects won’t be eligible for assistance because the program that was
administered by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration has run
out of money.
“Two, we have producers whose projects have been approved but won’t be
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able to finish them before the end of the deadline because of the
severe winter weather.
“And three, we’ve already got growing concerns that the dry winter is
going to exacerbate the drought situation, and the need for new wells
and dugouts is going to increase this spring.”
Outside the legislature, Elhard said farmers didn’t know that
applications for the PFRA program were approved on a first-come,
first-serve basis.
“By the 24th of January that money was all gone,” he said in an
interview.
Elhard said between 1,000 and 1,300 applications are going to be in
limbo when the fiscal year ends March 31.
Agriculture minister Clay Serby said producers were told to get their
applications in as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is
April 1.
But he said Elhard is confusing the issue.
“This is not about the process. This is about not having enough money.”
Serby confirmed that he received a letter from federal agriculture
minister Lyle Vanclief turning down a request for additional money in
the PFRA program.
Last fall, both governments contributed $1.5 million to top up the $2.2
million allocated for Saskatchewan. The province wanted Ottawa to add
$2.8 million this year to make $5 million available.
“There isn’t a farm group in Saskatchewan … who doesn’t believe the
federal government is underfunding us,” he said.
Elhard said the province still has an obligation to its producers.
“It’s pretty hard to beg the feds if you don’t show willingness to do
it yourself,” he said.
