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E-Newsletter An update from MBP November 24, 2023 mbbeef.

ca

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Manitoba Government Making Agricultural Crown
Land Leases More Affordable for Producers
First Invoices Reflecting New Rent Reduction to Hit Mailboxes Today

(November 24, 2023 Province of Manitoba news release) The Manitoba government encourages sustainable use of
ERIKSDALE—Effective immediately, the Manitoba Crown land for multiple uses through a careful planning
government is increasing the temporary rent reduction process, noted the minister, including the intensity of use and
scheduled for agricultural Crown land (ACL) forage leases how different parcels may be developed. The ACL program
to 55 per cent from 33 per cent for the 2024 growing contributes to ecological goods and services, and provides
season in recognition of the hardships producers have mitigation and adaptation to climate change, added the
faced in recent years, Premier Wab Kinew and Agriculture minister.
Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced here today.
“This announcement is a lifeline for Crown leaseholders,” said
“When the previous government made these changes, it Dale Myhre, a veteran rancher with a cattle operation in the
hurt Manitoba producers in all aspects of their business Parkland region. “We are so grateful that this government is
including production and market costs, and made it harder listening to producers rather than announcing policies without
for them to recover,” said Kinew. “Our government is consultation. With this reduction in Crown lease rents, beef
committed to helping producers in the Parkland, Interlake producers have gone from feeling desperation to feeling hope
and across the province. This rent reduction will again.”
essentially freeze rates to the same as 2023 and will
provide producers with over $2 million in support.” For more information on agricultural Crown lands,
visit https://gov.mb.ca/agriculture/land-
Agricultural Crown lands are parcels of land leased to management/crown-land.
producers for agricultural use including grazing, haying or
annual cropping. These lands are important public assets
economically, environmentally and socially, essential to
supporting and growing the livestock industry in
Manitoba, noted the premier.

“Today’s announcement is part of our promise to ensure


affordability with ACL lease rates and begins to accomplish
the goals set out in the minister of agriculture mandate
letter,” said Kostyshyn. “We will continue to review the
ACL program to ensure it best serves Manitoba
producers.”
Manitoba Government Presents Throne Speech
Welcoming 'A New Day in Manitoba'
(November 21, 2023 Province of Manitoba News • reduce wait times for surgeries and MRIs by
Release) The Manitoba government, joined by bringing high-quality surgical care back to
community leaders from across the province, laid Manitoba’s public health-care system with
out its plan to work together, strengthen health new surgical slates and new diagnostic
care, lower costs for families and grow the services;
province’s low-carbon economy with a geothermal • reduce the backlog in hospitals by
home heating program in the speech from the expanding services at Grace Hospital,
throne, ‘A New Day in Manitoba,’ Premier Wab Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg,
Kinew announced. Concordia Hospital and Brandon Regional
Health Centre;
“Today is a new day in our province,” said Kinew. • provide immediate relief to families by
“Our government is resetting the relationship with freezing hydro rate increases for one year
Manitobans. We are ready to get to work for you, and cutting the gas tax;
alongside other levels of government, public • grow Manitoba’s economy and create good
servants, community leaders, health-care workers jobs by encouraging investments in
and families who are doing everything they can to Manitoba industries like value-added
build a better province. We know we can manufacturing, trade and natural
accomplish great things for Manitoba when we resources;
work together. Our plan will invest in the health • take action to bring needed relief to beef
care and supports you rely on, while being producers on Crown land leases;
responsible with the province’s books.” • work with front-line organizations, the
business community and all levels of
Manitobans were welcomed into the Legislative government to help Manitobans struggling
Building for the ceremonies surrounding the throne with homelessness; and
speech, which included performances from Métis • reset the relationship with Indigenous
fiddlers Morgan Grace and Keith Ginther. governments by working together on
priorities in health care, education and
“After two terms of cuts and closures, the new economic reconciliation.
Manitoba government is presenting a responsible
“Together, we can build the future we want for this
and ambitious plan to strengthen public health
province, where every family can afford to build a
care, grow the economy and build a province where
good life, where you have quality health care close
all Manitobans can thrive,” said Kinew.
to home and a government that works for you,”
said Kinew.
The premier noted the speech from the throne sets
out a course to:
• make Manitoba a leader in the low-carbon
economy with an agreement from the
federal government to deliver funding for a
geothermal heat pump program that will
connect homes across Manitoba with low-
carbon, affordable energy and offer new
opportunities to train the next generation
of energy workers;
Manitoba Government Introduces Legislation to
Make Lives More Affordable for Manitobans by
Lowering Fuel Taxes
Changes would Introduce a Gas Tax Holiday for Six Months: Sala
(November 23, 2023 Province of Manitoba news There is no provincial sales tax on the purchase of
release) The Manitoba government is introducing fuel. Fuel taxes would continue to be collected on
amendments to the fuel tax act, which would aviation, locomotive and propane as these are not
temporarily pause the collection of the provincial included in the fuel tax holiday, the minister
tax on gasoline for at least six months starting added.
next year, Finance Minister Adrien Sala
announced today. The average Manitoba family with two cars is
expected to save approximately $250 during the
“We know there is an affordability crisis in six-month fuel tax holiday, the minister noted.
Manitoba and across Canada,” said Sala. “This
legislation would provide much-needed relief to MBP note: The proposed reduction would be in
Manitobans during these unprecedented times effect January 1 to June 30, 2024. The legislation
of high inflation. The bill would help everyone as drafted states that “No tax is payable during the
from the family rushing their kids off to different tax holiday by a buyer of gasoline, diesel or
activities, to the small business owner who relies natural gas if the fuel is purchased for use in
on their car for work.” operating: (a) a motor vehicle on a roadway; and
(b) a motor vehicle registered as a farm truck
Bill 3, the fuel tax amendment act (fuel tax
under The Drivers and Vehicles Act. In Manitoba a
holiday) would temporarily reduce the provincial
farm truck is defined as “a motor vehicle that is
fuel tax rate to zero cents per litre on gasoline,
owned by a farmer and designed primarily to
natural gas and diesel fuels for road use.
transport cargo and not passengers.” Under The
Highway Traffic Act, "roadway" means the portion
This tax pause would remain in place for six
of a highway that is improved, designed, or
months. During the fuel tax holiday, the 14-cent
ordinarily used for vehicular traffic, and includes
fuel tax rates on gasoline and diesel used to
that portion thereof that, but for the presence of a
operate motor vehicles will be eliminated, the
safety zone, would be ordinarily so used, but does
minister noted.
not include the shoulder; and where a highway
includes two or more separate roadways, the term
“This would provide direct relief to Manitoba
"roadway" refers to any one roadway separately
families struggling with rising costs and is a
and not all of the roadways collectively.”
crucial step in our government’s plan to make
life more affordable for all Manitobans,” said
Sala.
Industry Update

CCA welcomes new provisions and exemptions for


farmers in 2023 Fall Economic Statement
November 24, 2023

On Tuesday, November 21st, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finance,


announced the Fall Economic Statement (FES). All signals pointed to a restrained FES and the
Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) was pleased to see a few provisions and exemptions
announced for producers. Particularly, we were pleased to see proposed changes to the
Underused Housing Tax (UHT), right to repair equipment, and expansion of eligibility for tax
credits that support using biomass for heat and electricity. While details were skim, CCA staff
are looking into the specifics to see how beef producers will be impacted.
Underused Housing Tax
The FES included a proposed exemption on the UHT for homeowners who use their property as
a place of residence for employees, such as a farm. CCA has advocated for this exemption with
Minister Bibeau at the Canadian Revenue Agency and worked closely with other stakeholders.
We are looking into details to ensure this exemption applies for housing for Temporary Foreign
Workers. This exemption would take place for the 2023 tax filing and future years—it does not
apply to 2022.
As background, the UHT imposes a 1 per cent tax on ownership of vacant or underused
housing in Canada. On October 31, 2023, Minister Bibeau announced a six-month extension to
homeowners affected by the UHT. Affected homeowners have until April 30, 2024, to file their
2022 returns and will not have to pay any penalties or interest provided that they file by that
date.
The proposed changes on UHT announced during FES will include a consultation on the
proposed legislation, with a deadline of January 3, 2024. Interested stakeholders can share their
feedback by emailing Consultation-Legislation@fin.gc.ca. CCA will make a submission in
response.
Right to Repair
The federal government announced amendments to the Competition Act that would prevent
manufacturers from behaving in an anti-competitive manner by refusing to provide the means of
repair of devices and products. This is good news for producers to be able to address any
challenges with tractors and vehicles in a timely manner with fair competition.
Tax Credits to Support Using Waste Biomass to Generate Heat and Electricity
Eligibility of these tax credits will be expanded for a 30-percent clean technology investment tax
credit to include systems that produce electricity, heat, or both from waste biomass, including
from agriculture such as food and animal waste, manure, etc.

There will also be a 15%-percent clean electricity investment tax credit to include systems that
produce electricity or both electricity and heat from waste biomass, which will be available after
Budget 2024 for those projects that did not begin construction before March 28, 2023.

The Canadian Cattle Association is the national voice for Canada’s


beef cattle industry representing 60,000 beef farms and feedlots.
www.cattle.ca
Industry Update
Employee Ownership Trusts

Following the announcement in Budget 2023, which introduced tax rules to facilitate the creation
of Employee Ownership Trusts, the provisions announced in the FES propose to exempt the
first $10 million in capital gains realized on the sale of a business to an Employee Ownership
Trust from taxation. This would be in effect in the 2024, 2025, and 2026 tax years. CCA will
work with Finance Canada and other stakeholders to assess the impact of this change on
producers.

Sustainable Finance

Finally, the federal government announced that the Departments of Finance, Innovation,
Science, and Economic Development, and Environment and Climate Change Canada will
develop options for making climate disclosures mandatory for private companies. The federal
government will also work with regulators, the financial sector, industry, and independent
experts to develop a taxonomy towards reaching net-zero by 2050. CCA will work with
stakeholders and bring our environmental story into these discussions to ensure that producers’
voices are heard.

The full text of the 2023 Fall Economic Statement can be found at
https://www.budget.canada.ca/fes-eea/2023/report-rapport/toc-tdm-en.html

For further information, contact:


Michelle McMullen
Communications Manager
Canadian Cattle Association
403-451-0931| mcmullenm@cattle.ca

The Canadian Cattle Association is the national voice for Canada’s


beef cattle industry representing 60,000 beef farms and feedlots.
www.cattle.ca
Resolutions Suggestion Form for 45th Manitoba Beef Producers AGM

MBP’s board of directors is now accepting in writing suggested resolutions for potential debate at its 45th Annual General Meeting
set for February 8-9, 2024, back at the Victoria Inn Hotel & Conference Centre at 3550 Victoria Avenue in Brandon.

If the resolution is deemed to be in order by MBP’s Resolutions Committee it will be considered for debate at the AGM. In
consultation with the resolution’s author, proposed resolutions may be subject to editing by MBP for clarity and to ensure
consistency of formatting across all resolutions.

Please note: If the resolution covers off matters on which MBP is already conducting advocacy work, it may be deemed to be
redundant and not taken forward for debate so as to ensure there is time to debate resolutions on emerging matters. As well, it is
also important that proposed resolutions deal with something that is potentially achievable and clearly state the actions you are
asking MBP to consider taking. The sample resolution format is below and two examples are on the second page.

Send the proposed resolution and your contact information to info@mbbeef.ca to the attention of General Manager Carson Callum
and Policy Analyst Maureen Cousins. Or, you may fax it to 1-204-774-3264 or mail it to 220-530 Century Street, Winnipeg MB
R3H 0Y4. Resolutions will be accepted for consideration until 9 a.m. Friday, January 26, 2024. All resolutions for debate will
be posted on MBP’s website.

Whereas

Whereas

Be it resolved to recommend that Manitoba Beef Producers

Your name:

Address: (include MBP District number if known)

Phone Number: Email Address:


Sample Resolutions Arising from Past Manitoba Beef Producers District Meetings

Example 1

Whereas blackbirds cause significant losses to producers’ crops.

Be it resolved to recommend that Manitoba Beef Producers lobby the Minister of Sustainable Development to include blackbird
damage as eligible for claims under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program for Crop Damage.

Example 2

Whereas Manitoba Agriculture recognizes that bale grazing of beef cattle can save producers time, effort and money and help
distribute valuable nutrients to the soil to enhance future productivity; and

Whereas even though this practice is well utilized by Manitoba’s beef producers, they currently receive no compensation for
wildlife damage to bales left in fields or pastures for feeding purposes.

Be it resolved to recommend that Manitoba Beef Producers lobby the provincial government for changes to the Wildlife Damage
Compensation Program for Crop Damage to ensure that baled hay that remains on fields for use as part of an extended feeding
regime becomes eligible for compensation related to wildlife damage.

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