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Regulatory Modernization

Preserving Market Access
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What we do in agriculture matters and we all have a role to play.

Advancing our industry requires us all to do the right thing, demonstrate our commitment, and to communicate proactively about our growth.

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65 Farms Received FarmSafe Manitoba Support

In 2023-24, KAP has extended safety support to 65 farms through its dedicated farm safety consultant, offering confidential and free services. This initiative is reinforced by outreach safety campaigns, which connect Manitoba producers to online resources and expert consultations. Additionally, KAP has been looking to work with partners and provide bespoke resources to fit their industry and operations in a more specific way (e.g. Manitoba Pork producer manual).

2023-24 FarmSafe Manitoba Campaigns

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Thank you to the following program funding support partners:

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FarmSafe Manitoba First Aid

In 2024, in partnership with Manitoba Canola Growers, FarmSafe Manitoba delivered farm-specific first aid training to over 50 Manitoba farmers, free of charge. These took place in Steinbach and Virden, and the focus of the training included: 

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  • First Aid principles and the skills needed in life-threatening emergencies and/or common non-emergency farm-related injuries or illnesses

  • Recognizing when first aid is required and when medical help is needed

  • Recognizing the dangers and hazard at emergency scenes

  • Prevent injuries through proactive investigation and safety programs

  • Better understand the unique issues related to farm emergencies

 

This course certified all attendees as a First Aider 1 under Manitoba Workplace Safety & Health legislation and certification is valid for three years.​

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Tackling Labour - Continued Progress

"In order to address labour challenges, KAP has positioned itself as a centre of collaboration to foster solution-oriented thinking."

KAP Labour Priorities 2023-24

Prioritized Veterinary Services
Working with MVMA to expand Vet Connect MB activities for students is a key pillar. Working with government to advance and develop strategies as well as secure funding for large-animal students have been a focus this past year.
Pathway Program Development
Collaborating with partners such as MB Agriculture, EMILI, Protein MB, and AITC-M, KAP has secured funding to create a program that will design educational pathways aligned with identified careers in agriculture. We will leverage existing tools and resources.
Advocacy & Outreach
This year we continued advocacy efforts on various labour-related issues. We also expanded partnerships for priority development and execution, as well as explored opportunities for apprentice programs in agriculture. We work with CAHRC as a member of their board and to be engaged at a national level.

  • ​Provide secretariat services for the labour task force with key stakeholders and support the delivery of outcomes from the group, for example: vets, retention of workers, engagement strategies, advocacy strategies.

  • Secured $135,000 in funding through Budget 2024 provincially for the implementation of a veterinary services strategy that KAP helped to develop. 

  • Facilitating access to agriculture for new Canadians, including engaging on the National Labour Workforce Strategy, Indigenous engagement, reforms to immigration and TFW policy.

  • Secured $25,000 from the provincial government to supper an additional 5 STEP seats for vet students to work in Manitoba clinics.

  • Working with groups like the Young Agrarians to collaborate on farm succession planning and accessing new entrants to agriculture and farming.

  • Secured $165,000 per unfunded Manitoba student at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine for those returning to work in Manitoba.

  • Advocating and building awareness of labour issues, with a focus on policy makers, including work with government to ensure the provincial nominee program meets sector needs.

382 Environmental Farm Plan Certificates
Issued in 2023-24

KAP provides all of the direct administration and oversight support to the Manitoba Environmental Farm Program. Where this program comes to life though is in the hands of our dedicated farmers. The Manitoba Environmental Farm Plan isn't just a strategy; it really is all about helping you and your farm grow. It's a movement that resonates with the core values of agriculture. Together, Manitoba farmers are shaping the future by nurturing the land, fostering trust, and being stewards of sustainability. 

What our farmers are saying

In 2024, KAP worked with Manitoba Agriculture to create a video that outlines the importance of the EFP and how it can help producers in their operations. Who better to tell this story than those very producers employing an EFP as a tool on their own operation.​

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Check out the video below where you can hear from Sandra and Eric Dyck of 4D Farms in Springstein, Paul Spenst of Spenst Bros. Premium Meats in Winkler, and Colin Penner of Pennman Farms in Elm Creek about the value of the EFP on their farm.

 

Regulatory Modernization Outcomes

382

EFP certificates issued to Manitoba farmers

100k

Funding secured for the development of the Career Pathways Program

165k

Secured per unfunded student at Western College of Veterinary Medicine

11M+

Acres assessed total since beginning of the Environmental Farm Plan

1

Seat on the Road Debris Working Group with Manitoba Transportation & Infrastructure

7,000

EFPs assessed since launch of the Environmental Farm Plan

2023-24 Operations Plan
Strategic Initiatives
Regulatory Modernization

  • Enhance government and industry relations
    Continued regular meetings with government officials at various levels, including Cabinet Ministers, MPs, MLAs, Deputy Ministers, Assistant Deputy Ministers, and various other senior department staff Active involvement in various consultations, forums, and policy discussions, advocating for farmer interests at the municipal, provincial, and federal level Development of a set of communications and outreach marketing tools to promote key advocacy priorities to stakeholders (ex: infographics) Creation and implementation of a government relations strategy, focused on the transition to Manitoba's new provincial government and the successful maintenance of KAP's strong working relationship with government
  • Build strategic coalitions to ensure unification on key issues
    Foster coalitions to drive impactful outcomes and steer policy initiatives aligned with the evolving needs of Manitoba's agricultural landscape Swiftly address critical agricultural priorities while ensuring inclusivity and measurable outcomes for Manitoba's agricultural sector Build on strategic membership engagement with innovative approaches to increase membership participation and strengthen their role in policy advocacy Work with partners, both traditional and non-traditional, to advance key policy areas that are reflective of all Manitoba farmers with a focus on science-based decision making
  • Educate key decision makers on the opportunities and challenges of modern agriculture
    Identify advocates within the agricultural community to represent and champion key issues Leverage KAP's diverse and inclusive representation and perspectives in discussions, reflecting the breadth of challenges and opportunities in Manitoba's agricultural sector Utilize various communication channels to amplify agriculture stories, experiences, and concerns to resonate with policymakers Encourage knowledge sharing, resource pooling, and collective problem-solving among diverse stakeholders to tackle common challenges Ensuring active involvement in consultations, forums, and policy discussions to advocate for farmer interests Provide fact-based insights, research, and data-driven arguments to support policy recommendations, enabling informed decision-making
  • Facilitate cross-sectoral dialogue and partnerships to develop unified strategy and voice
    Foster an environment of collaboration and cooperation among diverse sectors to develop a cohesive strategy that amplifies the collective voice advocating for Manitoba's farmers Engage with policymakers, legislators, and government agencies to raise awareness about the importance of cross-departmental and cross-sectoral collaboration in advancing agricultural priorities, advocating for the inclusion of provisions supporting partnership-building and knowledge sharing in relevant policies and programs Advocate for funding opportunities or grants specifically earmarked for cross-sectoral initiatives and partnerships that help address agricultural challenges Hosting cross-sectoral events that emphasize the interconnectedness of Manitoba's economy and the role that agriculture plays in driving it Attend events that engage with key stakeholders, including trade shows, policy consultations, member events, and government and stakeholder policy committee meetings

Additional Regulatory 
Modernization Activities

Delivering on Value

Collaborative Approach to Consultation

Representing All Farming Sectors

When putting together submissions to government on proposed regulatory changes that will impact farm operations, KAP is committed to working with our commodity group members and committees to ensure feedback is inclusive and representative of the diverse needs of different farming sectors. Some examples include: Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, Disaster Financial Assistance, National Building Code, PMRA regulations, provincial transportation regulations, Plant Breeders' Rights.

Foundations of Sustainable Crop Production - CRSC

Sustainability Leadership

As a member of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops (CRSC), we provided support and feedback on the development of Foundations of Sustainable Crop Production. This initiative aims to recognize the work Canada’s farmers are currently doing to sustainably grow their crops, as well as the growing need to index and share Canada’s crop sustainability activities with domestic and international crop buyers, the public, and all levels of government.

National Centre for Agri-Food Benchmarking

Sustainability Leadership

KAP has supported and been a member of the National Agri-Food Performance Index, which has since evolved into the National Centre for Agri-Food Benchmarking. This initiative is working to tell the story of sustainability in Canadian agriculture to our customers, demonstrate our global leadership, and act as a tool to improve.

Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC)

Addressing Labour Challenges

As part of KAP's work on the labour file, we hold a seat on the board of directors of CAHRC, which is a national non-profit organization focused on addressing HR issues in agricultural businesses. Part of their work includes the National Workforce Strategic Plan, a comprehensive roadmap to workforce stability for the agriculture and food and beverage manufacturing sectors.

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