Winnipeg, MB (December 2, 2020) --- The federal ministerial mandate letters are not out yet. But judging by the highly-prioritized roles for grasslands and natural areas in the recently-unveiled Federal Government’s 2020 Fall Statement, Manitoba and Prairie farmers can expect some well-deserved attention as Canada looks to utilize intact and restored grasslands and wetlands as part of a national climate approach aimed at increasing carbon sequestration via healthy agriculture-based ecosystems.
“Without knowing too many details about delivery, we interpret this announcement as a show of support and reinforcement for some of the work we have been doing as producers on our grasslands via the farming systems that we utilize on our farms to increase soil health, which is the ultimate driver of carbon sequestration,” said Larry Wegner, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA) chair. “Also, our collective MFGA engagement of regenerative agriculture practices as well as beneficial management practices as an organization and producer-based network has consistently shown us the benefits of working with nature on our farms from both an environmental and economic perspective. This announcement fits nicely with our approach.”
Prairie Canada’s grasslands and wetlands are highly valuable for their ability to store greenhouse gases. The attention to farm lands factored prominently in the Nature-Based Climate Solutions (NBCS) section of the Statement’s Competitive Green Economy directives toward Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to be developed in collaboration with partners to support the sector’s actions on climate change and other environmental priorities via existing and new programming. When the AAFC directives are coupled with ongoing grassland, soil health and healthy ecosystem programming by Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Department, including the ambitions of the Province’s Protein Advantage Strategy, grasslands and farmers managing these lands are heading into interesting and important times.
Environment Climate Change Canada (ECCC) also figured prominently into that NBCS area of the Statement to restore degraded ecosystems, protect wildlife, and improve land and resource management practices, the government proposes to provide up to $631 million over ten years, starting in 2021-22 to Environment and Climate Change Canada. With this funding, the government will work with provinces, territories, conservation organizations, federal landowners and Indigenous communities to implement climate smart, natural solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to ecosystem loss.
“The 2020 Statement made it very clear that Canada’s farms have great potential to increase carbon sequestration and realize other environmental benefits through the restoration and enhancement of grasslands, wetlands and tree planting, and agricultural BMPs” says Lara Ellis of ALUS Canada. “ALUS Canada, a producer-led organization, is ready and able to scale up our programming which harnesses the knowledge, skills and creativity of Canada’s farmers and ranchers to provide real climate solutions. More federal support will allow us to increase our frontline work - creating new jobs in rural Canada and working with more communities, as part of the “build back better” efforts. We are looking forward to working with Natural Resources Canada, AAFC, and ECCC to deliver cost-effective and meaningful climate solutions.”
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For More Information
Lara Ellis, ALUS Canada, Senior Vice President of Policy and Partnerships, lellis@alus.ca, 416-303-7492
