December 4, 2020
mbbeef.ca
E-Newsletter
An update from Manitoba Beef Producers Province Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccines, Prioritizing Rapid Testing for Teachers: Premier (December 3, 2020 Province of Manitoba News Release) The
Manitoba government has made significant progress to ensure the province is ready to launch a co-ordinated and effective vaccination campaign to protect its most at-risk citizens from COVID-19, Premier Brian Pallister announced today, noting these efforts will be further enhanced by the expansion of rapid testing initiatives including one specifically for teachers. “Quite simply, we want Manitobans to know that when the COVID-19 vaccine arrives, we will be ready,” said Pallister. “Our team of hundreds of dedicated Manitobans has been planning and preparing for months, for a vaccination campaign that will be unlike anything else this province has ever seen. We are assembling the necessary people, equipment and other resources to we can rapidly stand up a large-scale, ‘super site’ vaccine campaign, as soon as the vaccine is delivered.” The premier noted that Manitoba has also procured all of the necessary supplies to administer safely and effectively two doses of the vaccine to every Manitoban, including a sufficient supply of personal protective equipment for staff administering vaccinations, as well as needles and syringes. Several of the COVID-19 vaccines have specialized storage and other requirements, meaning it is more efficient to keep supplies and administer the vaccine on a scale basis in a smaller number of locations, especially in the early stages of the vaccination campaign. The first freezer able to store safely one of the COVID-19 vaccines at extremely low temperatures has been delivered and installed, with another four on the way. Together, they can hold about one million doses of vaccine, the premier noted, adding the province has also purchased 20 portable ultra-cold freezers. As the vaccine supply from the federal government expands over the coming months, it will become more widely available in a larger number of sites, ideally similar to a conventional vaccination campaign, such as the annual flu shot, once logistics make this feasible. Manitoba continues to call on the federal government to develop a co-ordinated strategy for the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Over time, the vaccine will be available to every Manitobans who wants it and this will help to protect all of us against COVID-19. In the meantime, we must continue to follow the public health advice of our public health experts, focus on the fundamentals and stay home,” said Pallister. “Together, we will save lives.” The premier noted the province will launch a new, dedicated COVID-19 rapid testing service pilot for teachers in Winnipeg in January to coincide with the safe return to school. These efforts are part of a broader expansion of rapid testing throughout the province to help better protect Manitobans, ensure the health and wellness of school communities, and support the province’s overall pandemic response. More details of this program, as well as plans to expand it outside of Winnipeg, will be announced in the near future. The premier noted the Manitoba government has placed a new, $40-million order for Songbird Hyris tests, which will help deliver 45,000 tests a month. The province is also deploying another 20 Abbott ID NOW tests to communities across the province, in addition to the 13 testing units previously announced. They will soon be in use and have been shipped to the following locations: • Southern Health–Santé Sud – Steinbach (two units), Boundary Trails (two), Portage la Prairie (two) and Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes (one); • Interlake–Eastern Regional Health Authority – Selkirk (two), Stonewall (one), Pine Falls (one), Gimli (one) and Ashern (one); • Prairie Mountain Health – Dauphin (two), Neepawa (one), Virden (one), Killarney (one) and Russell (one); and • Northern Regional Health Authority – Thompson/The Pas (one). The rapid allocation of the Abbot ID NOW tests will offer healthcare providers a valuable early screening tool to identify possible outbreaks as quickly as possible, the premier said. The Manitoba government is taking strong action to protect Manitobans and ensure timely access to care. For more information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine campaign in Manitoba, visit: www.manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine.
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For the latest Manitoba industry news: https://www.mbbeef.ca/news/covid-19-updates/ The Canadian Cattlemen's Association is collaborating with industry stakeholders and the Government of Canada to ensure both stable beef production and trade during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.cattle.ca/ccaresources/covid-19/
Fewer, bigger farms bad for farmers, Canada: policy paper *Some light fun for a Friday
'Twas the night before beefmas [watch the Drool log video] Do cattle bacteria contribute to antibiotic resistance in human medicine? Food Industry Better Prepared For Second Lockdown
Stock Talk Webinars Reminder Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development produces free Livestock webinars- live and on demand. Manitoba Agriculture specialists and invited guests will speak to a variety of topics related to livestock feed and nutrition, marketing and production management. Register Now https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5726092041423487502
Please do not share your hyperlink to the webinar only one person can enter the webinar on each link. By registering, you will receive an email with the link to the recorded webinar for viewing at a time that is more convenient to you. StockTalk webinars are also available on YouTube at: www.youtube.com/ManitobaAgriculture.
Growing Together in December (Via Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba)
Your donation to our December campaign will help us reach our 'north-star' goal and have agriculture education in every classroom in Manitoba. We see a pressing need to connect young people and educators who are often three generations removed from the farm. With your help, we can continue to provide new and engaging resources to help connect students to the food on their plate and how it gets there. We also want to inspire students to see themselves in the industry, as our next employees and experts in their own agriculture-related careers. Will you help us reach our goal to be in every classroom in Manitoba? For the entire month of December, MacDon Industries Ltd. will help us double any gift received anytime in December up to $7500. And we need your help to make the most of it. At this time, we are working hard to create new resources, that meet the challenge of new COVID-affected learning environments, educators can use in class and in remote learning situations. We are also rising to the opportunity to create online and adapted ways of connecting volunteers from the industry to classrooms around the province. We need the support of our community to continue this important work. Please donate today to help have a meaningful impact on agriculture education and make the most of MacDon's generous offer to match donations this December!
Canada’s Ministers of Agriculture focus on important support measures for farmers and processors at their annual conference (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release, November 27, 2020) Canada’s federal, provincial, and
territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture wrapped up their two-day virtual conference with important discussions on the future of Business Risk Management programs, a discussion on balance in the retail supplier relationship, and a look ahead to the design and development of key priorities for the next agricultural policy framework. Ministers discussed options for short-term improvements to AgriStability. The federal government tabled a proposal that will be considered in more detail by provinces and territories. While no consensus was reached, efforts will continue on a common path forward. FPT governments are listening to farmers and stakeholder groups, who have been asking for meaningful changes and alternatives to the current risk management approach. Ministers agreed that programs need to improve to better target emerging risks that threaten the viability of the farm, which may include options based on insurance principles. Moreover, programs should be simple, predictable, and respond quickly for producers, while treating farms fairly and equitably. To address these objectives, Ministers requested that analysis on alternative designs be completed to inform discussions on longer-term risk management reform at their next meeting in July 2021. Ministers also took the opportunity to look further ahead as they launched discussions for the design and development of the next agricultural policy framework to follow the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which will come into force on April 1, 2023. Ministers look forward to launching an initial engagement with industry this coming year to consult and collaborate on priority areas for development of the new framework, to be articulated in the policy statement that will be tabled in Guelph next summer. They noted the importance of recognizing regional differences and shared national objectives within that policy statement. Ministers also reviewed the lessons learned from a number of one-time initiatives to support producers and processors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Ministers discussed the concerns of processors, producers and independent grocers regarding increased retailer fees on suppliers and the need for balance in the supplier-retailer relationship, while also ensuring that Canadians continue to have access to a reliable food supply at affordable prices. FPT governments agree that collaborative action is the best approach. As such, an FPT working group will be created and will consult with experts and industry members to clarify the impact of the announced fees. The objective is to target potential
solutions that benefit the entire food value chain. To support the working group’s discussions, FPT Ministers call on industry to actively contribute to the development of solutions that will help ensure that Canada has the appropriate conditions for all supply chain partners to prosper. Ministers asked that the working group begin its work as soon as possible in order to propose concrete actions at the next Ministers meeting in July 2021. Ministers also acknowledged the importance of essential front-line food workers. The Ministers agreed to build on the progress made at this conference by continuing to meet regularly to advance immediate and long-term issues on behalf of the agriculture and agri-food sector as they lead up to their next Annual Conference in Guelph, in July 2021. Today’s meeting was their 21st ministerial discussion since the pandemic began in March. Quotes “The Government of Canada is ready to support our producers as they continue to feed us. I am determined to continue working with my provincial and territorial colleagues to find common ground and make meaningful improvements to the financial safety net.” - The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food “The FPT agriculture ministers met this year during a unique and difficult period for the agri-food sector and for the networks that provide families with the supply of safe and nutritious food that they rely on. I appreciate the work we did collectively to make progress on important matters, such as building the next agricultural policy framework. I thank the federal government for their business risk management proposal, and look forward to working with my colleagues to review and consider it.” - Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for Ontario
Joint Statement: CCA and NCFA thank Minister Bibeau for tabling significant changes to Canada’s AgriStability program (November 27, 2020 Joint CCA/NCFA Statement, Calgary, AB) – The Canadian Cattlemen’s
Association (CCA) and the National Cattle Feeders’ Association (NCFA) thank Minister Bibeau for tabling significant changes to Canada’s AgriStability program consistent with a number of the recommendations we have brought forward. We are encouraged that the federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) Agriculture Ministers remain committed to reviewing the proposal over the weeks ahead. The proposal tabled by Minister Bibeau included the removal of the reference margin limit and an increase to the compensation rate from 70 per cent to 80 per cent. The Minister also mentioned that she is prepared to consider other program enhancements with her provincial and territorial counterparts. CCA and NCFA will continue to advocate on the breadth of recommendations we have put forward including the trigger and removal of the caps on payments. “With significant COVID-19 induced market volatility, in addition to typical risks like weather, trade and production, well-designed and sufficiently funded business risk management tools have never been more critical for cattle producers,” said Bob Lowe, CCA President. “The proposed program enhancements would better position our industry to contribute to Canada’s economic recovery in a meaningful way.” “NCFA, along with CCA and our provincial members, will continue to evaluate the details of this proposal and to engage with federal and provincial governments on the need for meaningful enhancements to business risk management (BRM) programs and tools to help the beef industry mitigate risk,” said Michel Daigle, NCFA Chair. The meetings held on November 20 and 27, 2020, also provided Ministers with the opportunity to address other key issues to help ensure industry can meet the aggressive growth targets for the agri-food sector. This includes progress on the Animal Health Canada initiative and addressing labour challenges faced by the agriculture and processing industry. CCA and NCFA are encouraged by the endorsement of the Ministers on the progress made on Animal Health Canada, which is intended to help enhance stakeholder collaboration to implement actions to prevent, prepare for, and react to animal health emergencies. We look forward to contributing to this important initiative in the future. The acute labour shortage in Canadian agriculture continues to be an issue threatening the viability of food production and the competitiveness of Canadian beef cattle producers. We appreciate the FPT Ministers’ efforts to strategically address national labour shortages and ensure a strong domestic labour supply into the future.
Province Takes Action To Ensure Safe Schools (Remote Learning Period) (December 2, 2020 Province of Manitoba News Release) The Manitoba government is furthering its
commitment to protecting safe and healthy learning environments by mandating a two-week remote learning period for grade 7 to 12 students and offering the same remote learning period for kindergarten to Grade 6 students, Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced. This two-week remote learning period will begin Jan. 4, 2021, following the regularly scheduled holiday break. “Current data indicates the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our schools remains low and we want to ensure the return to the classroom is as safe as practically possible,” said Goertzen. “By moving our grade 7 to 12 students to remote learning for the first two weeks of the new year and offering remote learning options to kindergarten to Grade 6 students, we are reducing the risk that may be posed as a result of a change in students’ close contacts during the winter break.” Students in grades 7 to 12 will move to remote learning for a two-week period from Jan. 4 to 15. Optional remote learning will also be available to kindergarten to Grade 6 students during this period should families wish to keep their children at home following the holiday break. Regular, in-person classroom learning will be available during this period for kindergarten to Grade 6 students, as well as for any grade 7 to 12 students with special needs that must be accommodated in the school or classroom setting. This two-week remote learning period for grades 7 to 12 will keep close to half of the student population in Manitoba at home following the winter break. Evidence suggests that older students have a higher incidence of contracting the virus, a larger number of close contacts and are more likely to transmit the virus to others as a result. Moving this group to remote learning will reduce the risk of transmission in schools while minimizing the impact on kindergarten to Grade 6 students and their families. Manitoba school divisions have made significant enhancements to the remote learning experience in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are well equipped for this mandated period of remote learning, the minister said. The Provincial Remote Learning Support Centre will be available to assist school divisions and educational staff during this remote learning period. In addition to this remote learning period, Goertzen also announced that the Manitoba government is further protecting Manitoba schools by confirming the full allocation of the Safe Schools Fund.
“The pandemic situation is evolving and the Manitoba government recognizes that our schools may face extraordinary funding pressures in the 2020-21 school year,” said Goertzen. “We are pleased to confirm the full allocation of our government’s $100-million investment, along with $85.4 million in federal funding, to keep our schools healthy and safe.” The $100-million Safe Schools Fund, established in August 2020, included $48 million in school division savings from the 2019-20 school year and additional $52 million in provincial funding. In late August, the federal government also announced COVID-related funding for education. This total pool of $185.4 million will be used to augment staffing, health and safety, learning and technology. Staffing is a key component of the government’s COVID-19 education measures, Goertzen said. School divisions continue to recruit additional teachers, educational assistants, substitute teachers, custodial staff, bus drivers, clinicians and other critical staff. As of Oct. 31, over $9 million had been invested in additional staffing, with a total investment of over $67 million already projected to be spent by June 2021. The confirmed allocations to support schools are: • 2019-20 savings by school divisions – $48 million; • per pupil allocations for school divisions and independent schools – $76 million including $44 million to specifically address staffing needs; • Safe Restart Contingency Fund, application-based funding to support emerging needs – $39.4 million; • Manitoba Remote Learning Support Centre – $10 million; and • personal protective equipment – $12 million. School divisions and independent schools will be able to apply for additional funding for needs not covered by their Safe Schools allocation through the Safe Restart Contingency Fund. The contingency fund will cover incremental expenditures to meet health and safety requirements, address extenuating public health conditions in the region/area that may entail unique cost pressures, and support innovative approaches that may support outcomes for a broader school community, region or the province as a whole.
Manitoba Public Insurance to Issue Second Round of Rebate Cheques to Policyholders (November 30, 2020 MPI News Release) For the second time this year, Manitoba Public Insurance
(MPI) will be providing immediate financial relief to its policyholders, Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton announced today. MPI customers will receive a total of $69 million, which is about $100 per policyholder. This is in addition to the previous rebate of $110 million in May of this year and the corporation’s recent request of an -8.8 per cent overall rate decrease in its General Rate Application to the Public Utilities Board (PUB). “As this pandemic progresses, Manitobans continue to be financially impacted by this crisis,” said Wharton. “This second rebate will assist Manitobans as we all work together in getting through this challenging time in our province.” Policyholders can expect a rebate cheque at the end of December or early January, said Wharton, adding it is estimated about 675,000 cheques will be issued. This second rebate was made possible by the combination of fewer collision claims, about 20 per cent lower from mid-March to the end of October compared to the previous year and MPI’s forecast of collision frequency remaining favorable into the spring. Rebates will be based on what policyholders paid during this period and is expected to be about six per cent of their annual Basic Autopac premium. “As a proud Manitoba corporation, we are pleased with what we can do to help during this unprecedented time,” said Satvir Jatana, acting CEO and president, Manitoba Public Insurance. “This rebate to our customers is combination of fewer claims and our continued focus on fiscal prudence. MPI continues to operate in a high efficient manner, aimed at delivering value to Manitobans. Our financial responsibility is reflected in our daily running of our operations and practices.” Jatana explained that this second rebate should not have an adverse effect on MPI’s financial outcomes moving forward and request for an overall -8.8 per cent rate decrease application to the PUB. If approved, customers will pay, on average, about $110 less in premium. The new rates will take effect April 1, 2021. Under existing legislation, this rebate requires the approval of the PUB. MPI will apply to the PUB in the coming days. Details of the second rebate will be made in the coming weeks and further details will be available at www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/Home.aspx.