Saskatchewan intends to fully fund its share of the 2007 CAIS program, the province promised in its latest throne speech.
In the past, it has committed some money to the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program, pro-rated payments going out to farmers and then topped up the funding once payments were finalized.
In July, Saskatchewan agriculture minister Mark Wartman announced the 2006 program would also be fully funded.
It’s unknown how much these two years will cost because applications run a year behind.
“I think this year we’re looking at about $167 million,” Wartman noted, referring to 2005 total cost. “There’s going to be other considerations as well. We don’t know, although we’re hearing rumours, what the new disaster program is going to come out like.”
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He expects more details on that program, and how it would affect CAIS payments, at the federal-provincial ministers’ meeting later this month.
The throne speech said the government would stand firm on calling for an effective new disaster program and “greater support for the grains and oilseeds sector in levelling the international playing field.”
The province also intends to improve crop insurance.
Saskatchewan Party agriculture critic Bob Bjornerud said he will push the government on the issue.
“Boy, we need it,” he said of promised improvements. “We’re falling behind Manitoba and Alberta in the coverage that we have, dollar wise.”
The Oct. 26 throne speech also said the province will press Ottawa to hold a plebiscite on the Canadian Wheat Board.
“It (the provincial throne speech) commits this government to asking this legislature to stand up for the farming families of Saskatchewan and their right to choose when it comes to the marketing of their grain,” premier Lorne Calvert said.
Wartman said that debate would take place in the Legislature soon.
This session, the minister is expected to receive a report from Lon Borgerson, his legislative secretary tasked with bringing forward recommendations on the province’s growing organic farming sector.
There were no promises on further cuts to education tax on farmland.
Bjornerud said that is still a key issue because reassessment has eaten away any discount.
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities president David Marit said he hoped additional tax relief will be announced in the spring budget.
