MBP E-Newsletter: February 17/2023

Producer Outreach - Sustainable Agriculture Strategy Virtual Consultations

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Consultations on the new Sustainable Agriculture Strategy (SAS) are happening now, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) wants to hear from you!

AAFC is hosting four virtual, regional focused roundtables for producers, and you’re invited. Mark your calendars:

o Manitoba, Ontario, Northwest Territories and Nunavut - March 10th from 12- 3 PM ET. English with French interpretation. RSVP here.

o National: March 24th from 12- 3 PM ET. French with English interpretation. RSVP here

Feedback received through the virtual sessions will inform the development of the SAS and support the work of the SAS-advisory committee, co-chaired by AAFC and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

Your opinion matters

Producer Associations and producer groups are also invited to send complete submissions through our Sustainable Agriculture Strategy email aafc.sassad.aac@agr.gc.ca Public consultations run until March 31, 2023 and regional-producer outreach will continue throughout 2023 and beyond.

Join us and let’s develop together Canada’s first Sustainable Agriculture Strategy!

Midwestern Regional Office (Manitoba)

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada / Government of Canada

Email: AAFC.MB.info.MB.AAC@canada.ca

Beef Producers Invited to Participate in Surveys re: Swath Grazing and Feed Testing

Manitoba producers are invited to participate in two separate online research surveys related to their participation in the practices of swath grazing and feed testing.

The first survey is related to swath grazing. The purpose of the swath grazing research is to understand the use of swath grazing and spring residue cleanup by western Canadian cow-calf operations. Producer responses will help promote strategies that will advance the Canadian beef industry. This study is for research purposes only.

Respondents can be both adopters, nonadopters and dis-adopters of swath grazing as they wish to hear how adopters swath graze, why non-adopters choose not to swath graze and why dis-adopters stopped swath grazing. The survey will close when 600 respondents are reached (likely March 31, 2023).

The swath grazing survey research is funded by Alberta’s Results Driven Agriculture Research and is being conducted by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (Kathy Larson) and Lakeland College (Dr. Obi Durunna). Dr. Durunna is a Livestock Research Scientist at Lakeland College and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan and Larson is a Professional Research Associate at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

The survey link is: https://ca1se.voxco.com/SE/90/Swathgrazin g/

The second survey is related to feed testing. It aims to understand how western Canadian commercial beef cow-calf producers assess feed quality and develop rations with a special focus on the use of feed testing. The knowledge gained will be used for research and extension on feed testing and ration balancing.

This survey is being undertaken by Larson, as well as Dr. Emma Stephens, a bioeconomist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lethbridge Research Station and 500 participants are being sought from Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. This survey is funded by the Beef Cattle Research Council and the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund.

Sample survey questions include:

• Have you done any lab tests for quality of any of your feed in the last three years?

• On your operation, who is typically responsible for collecting feed samples?

• Do you use a forage probe to collect samples when you test bales for quality?

The link to this survey is: wo8372 (insightrix.com) This survey will close February 28 or sooner if 500 completions are reached.

Anyone with questions about the 2023 survey can contact Larson at kathy.larson@usask.ca or at (306) 966-4025. Stephens can be reached emma.stephens@agr.gc.ca or at (403) 9158409.

Perspectives on carbon opportunities and ecological goods and services across the Canadian Prairies

We want to hear from you

Please take this survey to help us understand how much landowners know about available programs and the factors that would influence your choice to participate. Responses will be anonymous and grouped to your larger region for protection of privacy. You will receive $50 as a thank-you for your participation.

Who can participate:

Private landowners who own 500 acres or more of grazing land within the Canadian Prairies.

What you value about

Details about your farmland and management practices.

Your information will remain confidential and only aggregated answers will be

www.fuseconsulting.ca/take-the-survey

Shelagh Pyper (shelagh@fuseconsulting.ca) for more information or to complete the survey by phone.

Photos by: Leta Pezderic

Artwork by: Nakita at Fuse Consulting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Water Forecasting Platform Soon to be Launched for the Pembina River Valley

AAFC-funded forecast tool will help inform decisions with RealTime water data

Winnipeg, MB – (February 15, 2023) – An exciting, high-tech modelling project led by Pembina Valley Watershed District (PVWD) and Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) that will have the ability to forecast and detail water resources and water movement in the Pembina River Valley for farmers and land managers is nearing completion and readying for public launch.

With funding of up to $152,250 provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) AgriRisk Initiatives Research and Development stream via the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, PVWD and MFGA have partnered with Aquanty, a software firm from Waterloo, Ontario, to construct a highresolution HydroGeoSphere (HGS) simulation model that encompasses the full area of the PVWD. The tool will have the ability to forecast water resources such as soil moisture, groundwater, and surface water flow within a decision support tool that farmers, land managers, and decision-makers can access via a portal at MFGA.net.

“Manitoba farmers know firsthand the impacts of climate change and severe weather conditions that continue to threaten their livelihoods,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This new forecasting tool will help farmers and stakeholders plan ahead and make informed decisions to better manage these risks and increase resiliency across the Pembina Valley Watershed District.”

The Pembina Valley watershed is a vitally important Manitoba region, according to PVWD Manager Ryan Sheffield, with a tremendous agricultural presence across the 5,000-sq.km Canadian portion of the Pembina

watershed. The user-friendly forecasting tool will enable agricultural producers, communities and conservation planners to look at key factors such as what moisture is in the soil as well as satellite imagery down to the field level, which will enhance short-term and long-term decision making throughout the PVWD.

“The ability to access this tool will be a valuable asset to have on so many levels, from farming to wetland conservation to infrastructure decisions,” says Ryan Sheffield, PVWD Manager. “From a planning perspective, once we all get up to speed on what the tool can exactly do and tell us, we will have access to a database around water movement and water resources that we have never had before.”

The Pembina Valley project will represent the second major water forecasting platform for MFGA. Both forecasting tools will be hosted on the MFGA website. The Pembina Valley forecasting tool is the first to include water courses of the Red River Basin. MFGA has a concurrent water forecasting tool project underway in the Assiniboine River Basin that is also on track for completion and launch before the end of March 2023.

“Now that we are close to completing this powerful water decision-support tool in the Pembina Valley watershed, we will work closely with PVWD to ensure all audiences are aware of the tool, with those that want to learn more to have the chance to test it and provide key feedback before we launch publicly,” said Lawrence Knockaert, MFGA chair and dairy farmer from nearby Bruxelles, MB. “We want to ensure farmers and stakeholders will be able to use it to the best of their ability. MFGA and PVWD will be hosting and organizing workshops in the next month to start that process and training.”

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For More Information:

Duncan Morrison, MFGA Executive Director

Duncan@mfga.net, 204.770.3548

Manitoba Government Continues Program, Policy Enhancements Through Immigration Advisory Council Report as Influx of Skilled Immigrants Reaches Record High

(February 14, 2023 Province of Manitoba News Release) Results from the 2022 Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) have exceeded expectations in attracting record numbers of skilled immigrants, while the Manitoba government has received the report of the Immigration Advisory Council (IAC) to help build on this momentum, Labour and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes announced today.

“Our government is taking action to help Manitoba better attract and retain newcomers to enhance economic prosperity and enrich communities,” said Reyes. “Thousands of skilled workers immigrate to Manitoba each year, strengthening the workforce, and contributing to the further growth and expansion of the economy.”

Nominations issued by the MPNP reached 6,367 in 2022, the highest number since the program was established in 1998, Reyes noted, adding that more than 184,000 nominees and their families have immigrated to Manitoba from all over the world since the program began.

To further enhance the program, the IAC was formed in February 2022, co-chaired by Reyes and Lloyd Axworthy, to serve as an expert panel and recommend improvements to Manitoba immigration policies and programs. The council’s report is now complete and includes input from every corner of the province.

“The Manitoba government would like to thank Dr. Axworthy and the IAC for its hard work and dedication reviewing the entire continuum of immigration and for providing recommendations to improve our immigration

programs and policies,” said Reyes. “The report will be invaluable as our government works to advance Manitoba’s economic prosperity and the province’s legacy as a leader in immigration.”

Both the MPNP and the IAC will help inform ongoing efforts to enhance provincial immigration programs and policies to meet labour market shortages and strengthen Manitoba’s present and future economic development prospects, the minister noted.

MPNP highlights for 2022 include:

• Manitoba’s top regional immigration destinations for provincial nominees were Neepawa, Brandon, Steinbach, Morden, Winkler and Thompson.

• The top occupations for nominees included transport truck drivers, foodservice supervisors, food-counter attendants, cooks, and industrial butchers and meat cutters.

In 2022, immigrant landings were the highest since the MPNP’s establishment in 1998. Up to November 2022, over 21,000 immigrants had declared Manitoba as their intended destination in Canada, with nearly 14,000 arriving through the MPNP.

The Manitoba government has also formally requested the federal Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada approve a significantly larger MPNP nomination allocation for 2023 to better address labour market needs and skill shortages. A response is expected to be received by the end of March, the minister noted.

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Manitoba Government Continues Program, Policy Enhancements Through Immigration Advisory Council Report as Influx of Skilled Immigrants Reaches Record High

The IAC’s report provides 70 practical recommendations and concrete actions based on stakeholder feedback. The recommendations are grouped around the three goals of the IAC’s mandate:

• to improve recruitment in terms of efficiency and breadth of efforts to attract applicants by collaborating with community and business in Manitoba;

• to streamline the MPNP through collaboration with the federal government and aligning the program to Manitoba’s evolving labour market, economic development and community needs; and

• to enhance Manitoba’s settlement, integration and foreign credential recognition programs and services, so more immigrants choose to stay in Manitoba, to the benefit of businesses, the economy and communities.

The minister noted the Manitoba government will consider the report’s recommendations as it works collaboratively with stakeholders to further enhance the province’s ability to offer new opportunities for immigrants with a variety of skills and experiences from all over the world.

The minister highlighted the upcoming recruitment mission to the Philippines, to pave the way for hundreds of qualified internationally educated nurses to move and work here, aligns with one of the report’s recommendations to be proactive and competitive in recruiting skilled workers with the strong professional credentials needed to support Manitoba’s economy.

To read the IAC report, visit: https://immigratemanitoba.com/iac/.

For more information on the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, visit: https://immigratemanitoba.com/.

Consultation: The CFIA is seeking feedback on modernizing the Seeds Regulations

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is seeking feedback on recommendations for seed regulatory modernization. The consultation will be open for comments from February 15 until May 1st and will cover potential changes that could impact:

• variety registration

• seed crop certification including crop inspection and crop certificates

• seed harvesting, cleaning and conditioning and

• sampling, testing and grading of seed.

If you play a role in the seed value chain, including buying, selling or developing seed for planting, be sure to provide your feedback through the CFIA website.

For additional information, visit the seed regulatory modernization website or contact SeedSemence@inspection.gc.ca.

Manitoba Conservation Officer Service Enforcement Update

(February 17, 2023 Province of Manitoba News Release) Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development advises conservation officers are continuing enforcement to protect Manitoba’s natural resources through a variety of enforcement activities across the province including roadside checkstops in key locations to ensure compliance with natural resource and public safety legislation.

On Oct. 29, 2022, two individuals from Winnipeg and Landmark were found hunting moose along the Steeprock Road in the Porcupine Provincial Forest, which is closed to all moose hunting. Charges of hunting moose within the moose closure were laid. If convicted, a person can be fined up to $25,000 or receive up to six months in jail, or both.

On Nov. 25, 2022, an off-duty conservation officer from the Swan River district observed a vehicle parked on the side of the road near Renwer. An individual was in the box of the truck and drag marks could be seen coming from the bush along the road. An on-duty officer was called to the scene, but the vehicle had left. The officer followed the drag marks and observed a large spray of blood and hair, and determined the direction from which a bullet had come from. The officer investigated a road about 75 metres away and located a single spent cartridge. Officers subsequently located a vehicle matching the initial description and located a white-tailed deer carcass in the box of the truck. A passenger from Grande Prairie, Alta. claimed ownership of the deer and admitted to shooting it from the road. Officers seized the deer and rifle. The passenger was charged $486 for discharging a rifle from a municipal road and issued a $1,500 restitution notice for the white-tailed deer.

On Dec. 1, 2022, Boissevain conservation officers received a tip-line call about a white-tailed deer that was shot and abandoned near Carroll. Upon investigation, officers identified a suspect from Carroll. The individual was subsequently issued tickets totalling $1,158 for wastage and failing to notch a white-tailed deer tag. One firearm was

seized. The man also faces a two-year hunting suspension of his game bird and big-game licences.

On Dec. 8, 2022, Swan River conservation officers received tip-line information of a possible nighthunting violation. A responding officer discovered a truck stuck in the snow and passengers trying to dig out while the driver had gone for help. No immediate evidence of hunting was initially discovered. The three individuals managed to free the vehicle and left. Subsequently, another officer searching the area via snowmobile discovered a freshly killed elk buried in snow on private land. Footprints were located coming from the area of where the truck was stuck. Officers found the individuals from Pine Creek First Nation and issued tickets for hunting on private land without permission ($486) and possessing illegally taken wildlife ($1,296). A rifle was seized and a $2,500 restitution notice was also issued. The elk was donated to a local resident.

On Dec. 19, 2022, a conservation officer from the Riverton district received a call regarding the shooting of three elk off a municipal road in the Fisher Branch area. Officers investigated and located three elk kill sites and determined that two of the three elk were illegally shot from the municipal road. On Dec. 20, 2022, officers attended the residence of the two elk hunters who only had one tag. Both hunters admitted to each shooting an elk. A two-point bull elk and a bull calf elk were seized. Both hunters, from Morweena, were issued two tickets totalling $3,564, one ticket for shooting from a municipal road and the second ticket for possessing an illegally taken big-game animal. Both hunters were also issued $5,000 restitution notices.

In early January 2023, aircraft patrols were conducted by conservation officers from Dauphin, Swan River, Neepawa and Shoal Lake in collaboration with the provincial wildlife health manager to detect illegal baiting, illegal feeding, or any attractants promoting nose-to-nose feeding within the tuberculosis/chronic wasting disease control zones. Several locations were observed and officers followed up by confirming findings once on

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Manitoba Conservation Officer Service Enforcement Update

the ground. Landowners were notified of the attractants and removal/clean-up orders were issued.

On Jan. 18, 2023, following an investigation into images posted on social media, conservation officers executed a search warrant in Dauphin. On Jan. 25, 2023, conservation officers charged a Dauphin man for killing a buck white-tailed deer without a licence, possessing illegally taken wildlife,

possessing wildlife without a valid tag attached, and failing to cut out the correct date of the killing from the game tag. His fines and restitution totalled $3,000.

Anyone with information on illegal activity is asked to call a local Natural Resources and Northern Development office or the Turn in Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-782-0076.

Government of Canada invests in the agriculture and agri-food sector to address labour demands

(February 15, 2023 Employment and Social Development Canada News Release) Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector continues to be among the sectors most affected by the pandemic, which caused plant closures, market fluctuations and supply chain delays. The significant shortage and loss of skilled labour as a result of these pressures needs to be addressed urgently. This is why the Government of Canada is investing to help resolve the current workforce challenges and to advance long-term solutions for the farming and food processing industries.

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, on behalf of Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, announced that the Government of Canada is investing over $19.7 million for two agriculture and agri-food projects under the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP). The announcement comes as Canada’s Agriculture Day is celebrated across the country.

The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council is receiving an investment of just over $12 million for their Growing the Agriculture Workforce of the Future: Cultivating Canada’s Post-Pandemic Recovery Project. This project will help to address human resource shortages in Canada’s agriculture sector. By identifying skills most in need, providing innovative and targeted training programs to 1,175 employers and employees and by setting sector-wide standards for recruiting and retention, this project strives to meet the current and future demands of the agriculture industry.

In addition, Food Processing Skills Canada is receiving $7.7 million for their Achieving our Workforce Destination: Qualified People, Successful Careers & Competitive Business Project. This project will offer training programs to 1,250 Canadians in the food and beverage processing sector. It will also develop resources, tools and certifications for supervisors and employees to help improve retention in the industry. The project will aim to engage up to 65% of participants from equity-deserving groups.

First announced in Budget 2021, the SWSP helps key sectors of the economy to implement solutions that address current and emerging workforce needs by funding organizations to deliver sectoral projects that focus on a range of industry-driven activities, including training and reskilling workers, and helping employers retain and attract a skilled and diverse workforce. It also supports equity-deserving groups by promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce and providing wrap-around supports as needed to those facing barriers to participation.

Quotes

“Our agriculture and agri-food sector has always been essential to Canada’s food security and economy. The success of this sector depends on our ability to recruit and retain a thriving and diverse workforce. Organizations like the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council and Food Processing Skills Canada are making sure we’re helping the sector meet post pandemic demand and ensuring Canada’s long term food security.”

– The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

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Government of Canada invests in the agriculture and agri-food sector to address labour demands

“The future of the agriculture and agri-food sectors is contingent on having a skilled and reliable workforce. Over these past few years in particular, Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector has faced significant challenges in acquiring workers and maintaining stability. These two very important projects will strengthen this crucial sector for generations to come.”

– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“Growing chronic labour shortages impact the success and viability of the Canadian agriculture and agri-food industry. This viability is essential not only because of the strong economic contribution but also because Canadian agriculture and agri-food producers provide food to Canadians and the globe. The funding announced today will allow CAHRC to action priorities identified by industry in the National Workforce Strategic Plan right away and provide new and innovative training, tools and resources to attract and retain workers in the industry.”

– Paul Glenn, Chair of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council.

Quick facts

• First announced in Budget 2021, the new Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program will help workers and employers by supporting solutions to address current and emerging workforce needs in key sectors, including:

o building talent for Canada’s clean economy;

o supporting needs of workers and employers hardest hit by the pandemic; and

o addressing challenges faced by in-demand healthcare occupations.

• Based on data from the Labour Force Survey in December 2022:

o 260,600 Canadians were working in the agriculture and agri-food sector, down 37,200 (–12.5%) compared to prepandemic numbers (February 2020).

o The industry faces ongoing pressures from population aging and fewer older individuals returning to work in agriculture after the pandemic.

o This sector’s chronic labour shortage is forecasted to grow from 63,000 to as many as 123,000 workers by 2029.

• Agriculture and Agri-food Canada with support from Employment and Social Development Canada is currently developing a National Agricultural Labour Strategy. The strategy will seek to address chronic workforce challenges and build short- and long-term solutions to attract a skilled workforce to the agriculture and agri-food sector.

Associated links

• Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program

Disasters and Disaster Relief: Taxation Information About Financial Assistance Payments From Governments

Source: Canada Revenue Agency

Income tax

Is government assistance paid to an individual taxable?

Generally, a disaster relief payment that an individual receives from a government, municipality, or public authority for personal losses and expenses is not taxable and is not included in the recipient’s income for income tax purposes. This includes payments for temporary housing, clothing, and meals. As well, government compensation for loss of or damage to a personal residence does not ordinarily result in any income tax consequences.

Is government assistance paid to a business taxable?

Generally, government assistance that a business receives to help offset the cost of expenditures incurred as a result of a disaster can either directly reduce the amount of business expenses incurred or be included in income and the business expenses deducted when incurred in the normal manner. In either case, the business will effectively have no net income related to the assistance.

Government assistance received to help replace destroyed or damaged property will generally reduce the capital cost of that property. To the extent that the government assistance is considered to be compensation for property that has been lost or destroyed, the amount of the assistance is treated similarly to insurance proceeds so that the compensation is considered to be proceeds of disposition.

Generally, the Income Tax Act allows a business to elect to postpone recognizing a capital gain or a recaptured capital cost allowance, as the case may be, when a former property is disposed of involuntarily and a replacement property is acquired. A replacement property must be acquired within a specified time limit (generally within 24 months of the end of the tax year in which the proceeds were receivable). A property is considered to be a replacement property for a former property only if specific conditions are met. For more information on the replacement property rules, see Income Tax Folio S3-F3-C1, Replacement Property.

To ease the financial burden that might arise when a business elects to postpone recognizing a capital gain or a recaptured capital cost allowance, the CRA may accept security in lieu of payment of taxes owing until the final determination of taxes is made or the time period for acquiring the replacement property has expired. For more information on posting security, see 1.16 of Income Tax Folio S3-F3-C1, Replacement Property.

If the business is unable to pay or secure the tax debt arising from such a scenario, it is CRA policy to work with the business to establish a payment arrangement based on the business’s ability to pay.

The business should file its income tax return in the normal manner for the year that the proceeds are received and file its replacement property rules election within the specified time to amend the tax assessment for the year the proceeds were received and reduce the amount payable on the proceeds. In the meantime, to offer security or discuss a payment

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Disasters and Disaster Relief: Taxation Information About Financial Assistance Payments From Governments

arrangement, the business can call the CRA at 1888-863-8657.

For general information on government assistance received by a business in the course of earning business income, see Interpretation Bulletin IT-273R2, Government Assistance –General Comments

Goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST)

In general, the provision of financial assistance by a government (or other grantor) to an individual or a business to subsidize the individual or business for losses or expenses

resulting from a disaster will not be considered a supply and, therefore, the GST/HST will not apply to it, as long as there is no direct link between the financial assistance and a supply by the individual or business to the grantor or a third party specified by the grantor. For more information, see Technical Information Bulletin B-067, Goods and Services Tax Treatment of Grants and Subsidies.

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenueagency/campaigns/about-canada-revenueagency-cra/disasters-disaster-relief/financialassistance-payments-your-government.html

Canada Revenue Agency: What's new and what to remember when filing your taxes in Manitoba this year

(February 13, 2023 Canada Revenue Agency News Release) Tax season is upon Manitoba residents and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is getting ready to answer questions from taxpayers and make it easier and quicker for them to file their 2022 income tax and benefit return.

The CRA wants to make sure each taxpayer receives the benefits and credits they are entitled to. There are many advantages of filing an income tax and benefit return every year. The deadline for most Manitoba residents to file their income tax and benefit returns for 2022 is April 30, 2023. Since this date is a Sunday, a return will be considered filed on time if the CRA receives it, or it is postmarked, on or before May 1, 2023. A payment will be considered made on time if the CRA receives it, or a Canadian financial institution processes it, on or before May 1, 2023.

Updates to benefits, credits, and services

Simplified Northern Residents Travel Deduction – The CRA is launching the Simplified Northern Residents Travel Deduction, a pilot project to make it easier for northern residents to determine the lowest return airfare, one of the three amounts required to claim the travel deduction come tax time. Available on canada.ca/lowest-return-airfare, the simplified version features tables that identify the lowest return airfare amount found from airports with regularly scheduled commercial flights to a designated city. The airfare tables contain more than 135 airports, almost all of which are located in the prescribed zones

Canada Dental Benefit – The new interim Canada Dental Benefit is available to eligible families earning less than $90,000 per year. It provides financial support for parents and guardians of children under 12 years old if they receive dental care in Canada and do not have access to private dental insurance. For more information, go to Canada Dental Benefit

One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit – The government introduced a onetime $500 payment to help lower-income renters facing housing affordability challenges. Applications are open until March 31, 2023. For more information, go to One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit

First-time home buyers’ tax credit – The amount used to calculate the first-time home buyers’ tax credit has increased to $10,000 for a qualifying home purchased after December 31, 2021.

Home accessibility tax credit – For 2022 and later tax years, the annual expense limit of the home accessibility tax credit has increased to $20,000.

Climate action incentive payment (CAIP) – If you are eligible, you will automatically get the CAIP four times a year. Since it generally takes two weeks to process electronic returns, we recommend that you and your spouse or common-law partner (if applicable) file your 2022 returns electronically by March 10, 2023, to help in receiving the April 14, 2023, issuance. If you don’t receive the April issuance, the payment will be included in a subsequent payment after your returns are assessed. For more information, go to Climate action incentive payment

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Canada Revenue Agency: What's new and what to remember when filing your taxes in Manitoba this year

Disability tax credit – For 2021 and later tax years, an individual diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is considered to have met the two times and 14 hours per week requirements for life-sustaining therapy. For more information, go to Disability tax credit.

Payment arrangements – If you cannot pay an existing debt in full, you may be eligible for a payment arrangement. Payment arrangement options have been expanded to reflect current realities. The Payment Arrangement Calculator has also been added to My Account and My Business Account. This self-service tool allows you to submit a potential payment arrangement without having to contact the CRA. If the proposed payment arrangement does not meet the CRA payment policy, a CRA officer will reach out to complete the arrangement.

Advantages of filing

You will be able to file your 2022 income tax and benefit return electronically starting on February 20, 2023. If you haven’t already, why not join the nine out of 10 Manitoba residents who filed their 2021 tax returns online? When combining online filing with direct deposit, you can receive your tax refund in as little as eight business days. Last year, over 13 million refunds were issued by direct deposit to Canadian taxpayers, which was 78% of all refunds.

There are many advantages to filing your taxes. Canadians who had a tax refund in 2022 received an average of $2,092. Another advantage to filing is that you may be eligible to receive federal benefit and credit payments. Last year, eligible Manitoba residents received an average of:

• $8,210 in Canada child benefit (CCB) payments

• $470 in goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit payments

• $212 in Climate action incentive payments

To receive benefits and credits, you need to file an income tax and benefit return – even if you have no income to report for 2022 or if your income is tax exempt.

Getting started

Steps to get ready for filing – Not sure where to start? Visit our Get ready to do your taxes page for the latest tax information. We have eight steps that will help you prepare to file.

Register for My Account – Over 505,000 Manitoba residents are already registered for My Account. My Account is our online portal for individuals where you can find your tax information and access many of the slips you need to file your income tax and benefit return.

You can also:

• change your personal information, such as your address, phone number, and marital status

• register for direct deposit

• make a payment

• track the status of your return

• apply for child benefits

• receive mail and email notifications

• view uncashed cheques

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Canada Revenue Agency: What's new and what to remember when filing your taxes in Manitoba this year

• and so much more!

You will also be able to access digital services such as Auto-fill my return and Express NOA in certified tax-filing software.

Learn about your taxes – The CRA has launched a free online learning tool to help you do your taxes on your own. This tool provides you with lessons that help you understand what taxes are, why we pay them, how to understand your paycheques, pay stubs, and income tax slips, and finally, how to do your taxes for the first time.

Need help doing your taxes? – If you have a modest income, a simple tax situation, and require assistance, a Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) volunteer may be able to do your taxes for free. The CVITP helped over 28,400 Manitoba residents complete and file tax returns last year. To find a clinic, please visit our Free tax clinics page.

Have additional tax-filing questions?

Did you know that you can find most of the information you need online? We encourage you to find answers to your tax-filing questions through our digital services before calling us, as it will save you time. You can check out these resources:

• Benefit payment dates – Find out when you will receive your benefit payments.

• Tax tips – Find information that could help you with your tax questions.

• Ways to do your taxes – View several ways to do your taxes, including options that are free!

• Questions and answers about filing your taxes – Find answers to common questions Canadians ask us at tax time.

• Charlie the Chatbot – This service can be found on the CRA homepage and many other of our pages on Canada.ca to provide you with quick answers to your tax-filing questions.

CFIA Holding Consultations re: Animal Feed –Policy and Procedures Updates

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched two 30-day public consultations:

• Proposed changes to the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels

• Use of foreign decisions for livestock feed approvals in Canada

We invite those in the animal feed industry, including feed manufacturers and livestock producers to share their comments on the proposed requirements by March 9, 2023.

Once an analysis of the feedback has been completed, a ‘What we heard report’ will be published on the CFIA website.

For more information, please refer to our current consultations

Registration is Open!

SUSTAINABILITY OF CANADIAN AGRICULTURE

2023 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

MARCH 7- 9, 2023

Tuesday March 7

Achieving net zero emissions

Wednesday March 8

Role of Indigenous agriculture in our food systems

HOLOS model workshop

Thursday March 9

Is biodiversity the new carbon? Canada’s Living Lab Update

VISIT US AT:

Sustainable food production systems: Exploring new and traditional knowledge https://umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/sustainability-canadian-agriculture-2023

Photo: DUC