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The Manitoba government announced Tuesday it will open two new Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) Service Centres in western Manitoba to address the needs of the agricultural sector.
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The new locations in Shoal Lake and Virden will offer farmers improved access to services, including Agrinsurance, hail insurance, wildlife damage compensation, agricultural loans, and other MASC programs.
Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn said the move comes in response to feedback from Manitoba’s farmers.
“Where the previous government ended services, we’re bringing them back,” Kostyshyn said. “We heard from producers loud and clear that they wanted the in-person service they used to enjoy.”
The two new service centres will each be staffed with four full-time employees and one casual employee. These additions are expected to benefit around 1,600 MASC clients and will increase the proportion of clients within a 60-minute drive of a MASC office from 83 to 94%.
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The new centres will open by the end of summer, with specific dates and further details to be shared in the coming months.
Agricultural organizations welcomed the announcement.
Jill Verwey, president of Keystone Agricultural Producers, said, “Manitoba farmers have been clear in their desire to have access to more in-person services through MASC.” Matthew Atkinson, president of Manitoba Beef Producers, added, “We thank the provincial government for fulfilling its commitment to open two new offices.”
MASC conducted a service delivery review to determine where new centres would be most beneficial, factoring in client satisfaction, service accessibility, and staff-to-client ratios.
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