Grain harvest -- Photo credit to Glen Miller

By The Canadian Press

Deadline approaching; Ottawa wants answer from Prairies on agriculture program

Mar 17, 2021 | 1:39 PM

OTTAWA, ONT. – The federal government wants a yes or no from the three Prairie provinces on proposed upgrades to a program that protects producers against large declines in farming income.

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says changes to the AgriStability program would increase the payout to agricultural producers for production losses, increased costs and effects from market conditions.

Ottawa would continue to pay 60 per cent of the costs, but the provinces would be required to come up with extra cash to make the program work.

Bibeau says she intends to meet with agriculture ministers from the Prairies in a matter of weeks.

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The deadline for producers to join the program is April 30.

Bibeau says if an agreement with the Prairies can’t be reached, the terms of the existing program will continue.