End-of-session legislation roundup
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/06/2021 (723 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
On June 1, the spring session of the 42nd Legislature concluded and featured some of the most robust changes in our provinces history.
Our government passed a record 65 bills that focus on protecting Manitobans while sustaining economic growth and recovery during this pandemic. As your MLA for Midland and Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development, I am proud to share a few initiatives and programs from this year so far.
We recently mailed out the education tax rebate cheques, which provides $250 million in rebates and tax relief to owners of more than 600,000 properties. In 2021, home and farm owners will receive a 25 per cent rebate, which will increase to 50 per cent in 2022. Other property owners will see a 10 per cent rebate this year.
The 4-H program has a 107-year history of successfully providing opportunities for Manitoba youth to increase skills ranging from leadership, communication and confidence to agriculture, science and environmental sustainability. This year our government has continued its long term commitment to supporting youth skills development and the importance of post-secondary education through a $1 million endowment to the Brandon and Area Community Foundation to establish the Manitoba 4-H Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship Program.
These scholarships will be offered through and administered by the Manitoba 4-H council. This year, the Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship program will offer one scholarship of $12,500 and three scholarships of $10,000 for a total of $42,500. I encourage those who are eligible to apply.
Our government successfully passed Bill 62: The Animal Diseases Amendment Act, and Bill 63: The Petty Trespasses Amendment and Occupiers’ Liability Amendment Act.
These two pieces of legislation are critical for agricultural producers across the province when it comes to dealing with trespassing and maintaining biosecurity and the integrity of our food system.
Considering the dry conditions our province has endured this spring, our government issued a bulletin in May, outlining the programs, tools and resources available for crop and livestock producers affected by dry conditions.
We will continue to provide updated tools and resources on our website on managing dry conditions. Forage coverage has been enhanced in 2021 with the introduction of individual productivity indexing for silage corn and an increase to the transportation allowance included in forage insurance and the hay disaster benefit. The deadline to enroll for AgriStability has also been extended to June 30.
Our government recently launched online public engagement to seek input for changes to Manitoba’s angling regulations, which are outlined in Manitoba’s recreational angling strategy.
Please give your input on these changes.
Blaine Pedersen
Midland constituency report
Blaine Pedersen is the PC MLA for Midland.