BRANDON — Premier Wab Kinew said two government offices scheduled to open in western Manitoba this year will help bolster the agricultural sector against the uncertainty of trade threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.
“While we think that this investment in supporting producers will definitely help us because ag is one of the key points of the relationship we have with the U.S., the reality here is this is about responding to our own needs here and strengthening our own economy here,” he said at a news conference at the Manitoba Ag Days show in Brandon.
The show, which highlights expertise, technology and equipment, attracts exhibitors and visitors from across Canada and the U.S.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew (right) with Ron Kostychyn, Minister of Agriculture, after speaking during the dignitaries’ address at Manitoba Ag Days on Tuesday. (Tim Smith / The Brandon Sun)
The two Manitoba Agricultural Service Corp. centres will open in Virden, 75 kilometres west of Brandon, on the Trans-Canada Highway, and Shoal Lake, 110 km northwest of Brandon. Each office will have four full-time staffers who can help approximately 1,600 farmers with Agrinsurance, hail insurance, wildlife damage compensation, loans and other programs.
“This is reversing a trend that you saw under the previous government, with offices closing one after the other (and) services leaving small, rural communities,” said Kinew. “We’re investing in small town Manitoba.”
In January 2021, the Tories closed 21 agricultural service centres and streamlined 17 others while adding an online chat program for farmers affected by the cuts.
The government lobbied to bolster agricultural services.
“Manitoba farmers have been clear in their desire to have access to more in-person services through MASC,” said Jill Verwey, president of the Keystone Agricultural Producers, in a statement.
A service delivery review was undertaken to determine the best locations for the offices.
Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn said a gap in service was identified in western Manitoba.
“Some producers and some other communities that were asking for an office to be opened up… (understood) these locations (had) over an hour-plus (drive).”
Kinew was asked at length about Manitoba’s plan to fight the 25 per cent tariffs that Trump has threatened to impose on Feb. 1.
Kinew reiterated Manitoba’s plan is to support its own economy as it continues to argue tariffs would raise prices in the U.S.
“If there’s a Trump tariff tax, that’s going to raise prices on consumers in the States, and I don’t think anyone wants that.”
Kinew says a group of premiers will head to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12 as part of the “Team Canada” approach to fighting the punitive measures.
In terms of allies, Kinew said North and South Dakota politicians are sympathetic to Manitoba and have influence in the Trump administration.
“They share having ag as a backbone for their economies, too.”
Manitoba plans to have a trade representative in Washington, established in the Canadian Embassy, in the next few months.
“I think we have a great candidate that we’re pretty far along the conversation with,” the premier said Tuesday, adding there should also be representation in the Midwest and other states that are important to Manitoba companies that export to the U.S.
The mayor of Virden welcomed Tuesday’s news and applause rang out in the crowd of 200 attendees at the Keystone Centre as Kinew made the announcement.
Virden Mayor Tina Willians said farmers will no longer need to drive to Brandon for services or go online.
“Not everybody has the great internet connectivity to do that kind of (business) online… There’s a lot to be said for being able to see a person face to face.”
— with files from Brandon Sun
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca