AgriStability enhancements get mixed reaction from Sask. government

The recent enhancements to the federal government’s AgriStability program have drawn a mixed reaction in Saskatchewan, with Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison expressing both appreciation and frustration over the changes.

On Saturday, the federal government announced that the AgriStability program’s payment cap will double to $6 million for the 2025 program year, and the compensation rate will increase from 80 to 90 per cent.

The changes aim to provide relief to producers facing steep tariffs imposed by China on Canadian agricultural exports, including a 100 per cent tariff on canola and peas and a 25 per cent tariff on pork and some seafood products.

While Harrison welcomed any support for Saskatchewan’s farmers, he criticized the lack of communication and consultation from Ottawa regarding the changes.

“We weren’t informed, nor was Saskatchewan Crop Insurance informed, of any of these changes,” Harrison said.

“We have yet to receive a formal request to cost-share these, but AgriStability has traditionally been 60 per cent federal, 40 per cent provincial. At this point, we’re looking into the impact of these changes and determining how we proceed.”

Harrison also questioned the timing of the announcement, which came just one day before the federal election campaign began.

“Given the timelines with the announcement of this, and then the very next day a federal election was called, they haven’t been very free with any details as of yet,” he stated.