E-Newsletter dsfsfa
Manitoba Beef Producers Congratulates New Government
WINNIPEG, MB – Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) congratulates incoming Premier Wab Kinew and his fellow Manitoba New Democratic Party Members of the Legislature on forming Manitoba’s next government.
“It was a very significant day in Manitoba history to see that for the first time a First Nations individual will become Premier of our province, marking another important step as part of the reconciliation journey,” said MBP President Matthew Atkinson. “We look forward to working with the Premier and his colleagues on matters related to our sector.”
“Thank you as well to outgoing Premier Heather Stefanson and outgoing Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson for their ongoing engagement on a variety of issues of importance to our sector. These included the provision of AgriRecovery during the 2021 drought, continued support for business risk programs and beneficial management
programs through the various agricultural policy frameworks, funding toward the Livestock Predation Prevention Project, the funding additional of training seats for Manitoba veterinary students, and support for agriculture-related environmental initiatives through the Conservation Trust, among others.” added Atkinson.
Moving forward, MBP intends to engage with the new government on an array of topics affecting Manitoba’s beef industry such as improvements to BRM programs to ensure beef producers are on a level playing field with other sectors, agricultural Crown lands, water management, recognition for ecosystem services provided through beef production, infrastructure, trade, labour supply and more.
MBP thanks all the candidates who put their names forward as it is a tremendous commitment to run for elected office.
An update from MBP October 6, 2023 mbbeef.ca Chef Anna Borys is amping up the classics! Recipes include a Smash Burger and Korean Reuben. You’ll also meet some young Manitoba beef farmers from Lenore, MB who are passionate about sharing knowledge. Watch the episode Saturday, October 7 at 6:30pm on CTV Winnipeg or streamed on-demand at greattastesmb.ca or on the @GreatTastesTV YouTube channel. (Photo credit: FRANK Digital)Nominations are open for Manitoba’s Outstanding Young Farmer 2024
Manitoba farmers are doing some amazing things and we want to recognize them! Young farmers are incredible innovators who may not always recognize the true value of all they do, so let’s call them what they truly are – outstanding. If you know a hard-working farmer between the ages of 18 and 39 that derives a minimum of 2/3 of their income from farming, you can nominate them to be Manitoba’s Outstanding Young Farmer in 2024. Each year, one farming couple is selected from each region to represent at the National recognition event. It is the experience of a lifetime for each nominee as they get to meet incredible alumni, receive VIP treatment, go on tours, and make lifelong friends.
“The opportunity to network and learn from this talented group was a privilege to say the least. We really enjoyed getting to know everyone and learning about their business. We are very humbled to be a part of such an amazing group.” Mark and Cori Pawluk – MB 2015
If you qualify or know someone who does, you can find more information on the Manitoba Outstanding Young Farmer Program, including nomination forms, at www.oyfmanitoba.ca or call Kristy-Layne Carr at 1-204-392-0618. Deadline for nominations is October 30, 2023. The regional awards banquet will be held at Elkhorn Resort, Riding Mountain National Park on March 17, 2024. Check out our program and nominate someone today!
Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef hosts membership in Toronto Ontario for Annual General Meeting and release of Annual Report
(September 28, 2023 CRSB News Release) – The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) hosted a successful Annual General Meeting in Toronto with international guests and members from across the country and supply chain.
The CRSB Annual General Meeting kicked off with keynote speaker Jeff Simmons, President and CEO of Elanco Animal Health talking about the future outlook of sustainable livestock. He talked about the positive role of livestock and the leadership role of Canada and the CRSB in that sustainable future.
CRSB’s business meeting followed with annual progress updates from Chair Ryan Beierbach and Executive Director Monica Hadarits. Greg Bowie, CRSB’s Governance Committee Chair announced the results of the 2023 CRSB Council elections, and Andrea White (Director, Marketing & Stakeholder Relations) provided an update on the development of the Sustainability Strategy that will accompany the release of the National Beef Sustainability Assessment, including a summary of feedback received during a recent member comment period.
Committee updates were provided from the CRSB’s guiding committees’ work, including:
• Certified Sustainable Beef Framework Committee
• Communications and Marketing Committee
• Scientific Advisory Committee
A highlight of the day was a very engaging panel discussion on “Portioning, Packaging and Food
Waste” featuring key CRSB members including Canada Beef, Recipe Unlimited, Walmart, and Jenna Sarich (CRSB staff).
We finished the day with a panel and breakout discussion around “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” with industry representation from Beef Farmers of Ontario, Syngenta, Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Association and CRSB.
Check out the 2023 CRSB Annual Report, released today, available on our website in both English and French for a more detailed look at our work and accomplishments over the past year.
ABOUT THE CRSB
Established in 2014, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) advances Canadian beef industry sustainability through multistakeholder engagement, collaboration, communication and science. The CRSB drives recognition and continuous progress in Canadian beef through sustainability performance measurement, a voluntary 3rd party sustainability certification program, and projects and initiatives aligned with strategic goals. Learn more at crsb.ca.
The CRSB’s Certified Sustainable Beef Framework, known as CRSB Certified, recognizes sustainable practices in beef production and processing, enables sustainable sourcing, and delivers 3rd party certified science-based assurances about sustainable beef production in Canada. Learn more at crsbcertified.ca
MPI Expands Service Delivery During Labour Interruption
(October 4, 2023 Manitoba Public Insurance News Release) As the labour interruption enters its sixth week, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is introducing new and expanded contingency plans to ensure customers have continued access to MPI services, including expanded estimating capacity and increased driver testing options.
“I am pleased MPI officials have been able to minimize service disruptions for Manitobans during the labour interruption,” said Ward Keith, MPI Board Chairperson. “The success of these contingency plans clearly demonstrates MPI’s commitment to maintaining core and essential services during this time, and the strong partnerships that exist between the corporation and its industry partners throughout the province.”
Last week, MPI also began welcoming back employees who have voluntarily requested to return to work. These employees are being assigned to the core and essential customer service functions they are most suited for and are joining redeployed management and professional staff and replacement workers who have been working hard to maintain core services for Manitobans since the labour interruption began.
Hail Estimates
MPI continues to respond to the high number of hail claims that resulted from severe weather this summer. Beginning this week, MPI will double its estimating capability, helping to move more customers through the estimating process faster.
MPI has partnered with DCC Hail, an innovative Canadian paintless dent repair company, to set up a second drive-through estimating hail scanning tool at MPI’s Physical Damage Centre. Each scanner produces a complete vehicle estimate in about six minutes. Introducing a second unit will double the number of estimates MPI can complete per hour, resulting in shorter wait times and less inconvenience for customers.
Since MPI and DCC set up the first scanner two weeks ago, the technology has helped produce more than 2,300 hail damage estimates.
Driver Testing
MPI has resumed knowledge testing for all driver licence classes in Winnipeg and Brandon. For commercial drivers, this means commercial driving schools can now resume intakes for new classes and begin to move students through their training programs. Knowledge testing for new teen drivers enrolled in MPI’s Driver Z high school education program also continues to be administered directly through that program.
Class 1-6 and Air Brake Knowledge Tests are now available for all customers on a walk-in basis at MPI testing locations. No appointment is required. New test applicants who did not previously have an appointment cancelled or scheduled, must visit a broker to purchase a test prior to visiting one of the designated locations listed on MPI’s website.
MPI has also expanded regular Class 5 road testing to 20 communities outside Winnipeg. Customers waiting for a test are being contacted by MPI to schedule a time in their community.
Minister Champagne Reports on Initial Commitments From Five Largest Grocers to Stabilize Food Prices
(October 5, 2023 Innovation, Science and Economic Development News Release) In recent weeks, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, met with the leaders of Canada’s five largest grocery chains as well as domestic and international food processors, and he called on the industry to take immediate action to stabilize food prices. Price stabilization requires the full engagement of the entire supply chain, and the Minister is encouraged that grocers and manufacturers agreed to work with the government and to find solutions that are in the best interest of Canadians. Today Minister Champagne provided an update on this work.
First, the Minister reported that initial commitments have been secured from the top five major grocery chains. The grocers are following through on their engagement to support efforts aimed at stabilizing food prices and to propose concrete actions by Thanksgiving. Each grocer has already identified an initial series of actions that will be implemented in the coming days and weeks. Canadians can expect to see actions such as aggressive discounts across a basket of key food products that represent the most important purchases for most households, price freezes, and price-matching campaigns. If we don’t see results, we will take additional action to restore the food price stability that Canadians expect.
Second, the government will immediately, and significantly, strengthen support for consumer advocacy. We are enhancing the capacity of the Office of Consumer Affairs by establishing the Grocery Task Force, a dedicated team with a focus on the retail sector. Its priorities will be to monitor, on a monthly basis, the grocers’ commitments and actions taken by other key players in the food industry, including manufacturers, as well as investigate and uncover practices that hurt consumers, such as “shrinkflation” and “dequaliflation.” We are also increasing the investment in the Contributions Program for NonProfit Consumer and Voluntary Organizations.
Third, the government will continue its engagement with the food industry and will accelerate work to establish a Grocery Code of Conduct that will support fairness and transparency across the industry. The Grocery Code of Conduct will contribute to improving the strength and resilience of Canada’s supply chain. The industryled process has the power to make meaningful improvements across the whole of the grocery supply chain. The government looks forward to the implementation of the code and to the results it will produce.
Fourth, the government will improve the availability and accessibility of data on food prices and the cost breakdown throughout the Canadian agri-food supply chain. Building on existing data collection efforts to enhance transparency, improve accessibility and advance analysis, government and industry will launch a food price data hub to better share existing data and new research on the price of food in Canada. This data will be provided through a partnership involving Statistics Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and key partners in the food system.
Furthermore, on September 21, 2023, the Government of Canada announced the introduction of targeted legislative amendments to the Competition Act meant to address affordability, including in the grocery sector. The government continues to review the input gathered through broad public consultation with Canadians and stakeholders and to assess how to further strengthen our competition framework. Through this comprehensive review, the government is committed to creating a fair and dynamic marketplace that will allow Canada’s economy to innovate and grow, while helping to make life more affordable and increase consumer choice for Canadians.
Minister Champagne set an expectation that all industry actors are responsible for bringing relief to Canadians, while ensuring that actions taken to
Minister Champagne Reports on Initial Commitments From Five Largest Grocers to Stabilize Food Prices
stabilize food prices will not negatively impact food producers and workers and not involve anticompetitive behavior. The Minister stressed the need for a wide-ranging approach, and he looks forward to continuing to work with Canada’s largest grocery chains, food processors and other industry actors both domestic and foreign in the coming weeks to stabilize food prices in Canada.
Quotes
“The cost of groceries has risen drastically over the past years, and Canadians are struggling to put
food on their tables. Canadians are rightfully frustrated by this situation, and we are implementing solutions to bring relief to them. Our government is hard at work to make life more affordable and increase competition that would expand choices for Canadians. I will continue to keep a close eye on Canada’s largest grocery chains, the food processors and other industry actors to make sure that the price of food in Canada will be stabilized. It’s just the beginning!”
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Time to Complete the September Agri-Climate Impact Reporter Producer Survey
(Information From Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) The Agroclimate Impact Reporter (AIR) is a tool to help connect Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC) with people in Canada's agricultural community. AAFC relies on its network of AIR volunteers to provide information regarding agroclimate impacts on farm operations across the country.
The AIR network provides valuable and reliable data that are mapped and used in the assessment and development of policies and programs including AgriRecovery and the Livestock Tax Deferral Provision, which can provide assistance to the industry during extreme weather and climate conditions and events.
AAFC is collecting AIR reports for the month of September. For many, the past few months have been difficult due to fires, drought, heavy rains and flooding across the country. To let the Science and Technology Branch of AAFC know what the conditions are like this month in your area, please respond to one of the links below:
English French
To view previous Agroclimate Impact maps, follow this link. Or see some of the other resources we produce on the AAFC Weather and Drought home page.
To learn more about AIR, follow this link. Thank you for your participation in this initiative.
Manitoba Premier-Designate Announces Transitions Advisory Team
(October 6, 2023 Province of Manitoba media release) Manitoba premier-designate Wab Kinew announced today 11 members of his transition advisory team. The members span the province geographically and come from varied backgrounds. The team will provide advice and assistance to the premier-designate during the transition period. The members are:
Joy Cramer – chief executive officer, Southern Chiefs’ Organization.
Ash Modha – chief executive officer, Mondetta Clothing.
Brandon Burley – outgoing mayor, City of Morden.
Dr. Eric Jacobsohn – medical director of research, Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg; professor, department of anesthesiology, pain and perioperative medicine, and department of internal medicine, University of Manitoba; intensive care unit physician and cardiac anesthesiologist.
Kevin Rebeck – president, Manitoba Federation of Labour.
Bea Bruske – president, Canadian Labour Congress.
Carmen Nedohin – Winnipeg chapter president, Canadian Association of Retired Persons; former chairperson of the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission; and former Manitoba Hydro board member.
Mike Spence – mayor, Town of Churchill.
Tanya Paulson – executive director, Manitoba Building Trades.
Jennefer Nepinak – vice-president, strategic partnerships and reconciliation, Legacy Bowes; and former associate vice-president for Indigenous Engagement at the University of Winnipeg.
Shahina Siddiqui – co-founder and executive director, Islamic Social Services Association.
Manitoba Beef Producers was pleased to be a part of the Agriculture in the Classroom - Manitoba Amazing Agriculture Adventure 2.0 this week at the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre.
A big thanks to MBP Directors Alfred Epp, Mark Good, and Steven Manns, MBP Research and Extension Specialist Melissa Atchison and General Manager Carson Callum for sharing their time with all the kids and teachers in some less than ideal weather.
(Photo credit: Melissa Atchsion)