Flooded acre payment

[skhadenuf]

Just wondering if anyone else has heard rumor Mr. Ritz is going to make good on a previous promise to disaster relief of flooded acres in 2006. In that year Saskatchewan MPs stated publicly that if the NDP paid out for those acres then the federal government would pay two thirds. Well as it turns out the NDP paid 10 bucks an acre so I guess soposedly Ritz is trying to fix a real sore spot by coughing up the remaining 20 bucks an acre or so.

[freewheat]

Is what you are talking about over and above the 15 bucks the feds paid last year? This years payment has yet to come. Last year I got the money by August...

[skhadenuf]

Yes, the MP's from the flooded areas supposedly in meetings with flooded area farmers expressed concern that the provincial governments inaction were not acceptable and that the feds would respond by maching on a 60 to 40 split a payment above the 15 dollars. The 15 dollars is an old program from years past the Liberals I believe put in place. So the reality is the promise was made and really not kept by the federal members and actually nothing was done to assist the disaster that really was the last straw for so many. I do not believe that Mr. Ritz had been a part of that promise, however it sure would be refreshing if the rumour is true that he understands the situation, and wishes to correct it. Next he may want to scrap the CAIS as promised and begin a national production insurance controlled by the federal gov. instead.

[skhadenuf]

Sorry, I forgot to add, make the CWB optional for farmers quickly. The longer this CWB thing drags out the less time spent on the other problems in policy that seriously need to be resolved. For example, nice to see debate over how high prices may or may not be, but it's only nice if you have the grain to sell into those markets, for many this year and last there was no or very little crop and the crop insurance is just pathetic. So basically those many farmers are still in dire straits and there is no talk of what may be done at all. This is not a banner year even with the higher prices for many and I think the majority of farmers, yet seems to be ignored as an issue.