Alta farmers will share another $70M in gov't aid
EDMONTON - Alberta is financing a one-year extension of a key agricultural aid program by adding $70 million for farmers from the province's hefty budget surplus.
23 March 2007
1 minute read
The money is being paid out to farmers while the province and the federal government reshape the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program.
About 35,000 Alberta farmers are eligible for the payments because they signed up for the CAIS program, which requires a fee from producers.
Payments to farmers from the new money will be determined after they file income tax returns and other financial information, but the first cheques are expected to be mailed next month.
Many Alberta farmers are still hurting from years of drought, low cattle prices due to BSE and higher fuel and fertilizer costs, as well as depressed commodity markets.
Agriculture Minister George Groeneveld says producers continue to express concerns that the CAIS program is still not responsive enough such events
Source: CNEWS
