2006-02 (February)
BLAINE CALKINS MP REPORT
February 21, 2006
FAST CASH FOR GRAINS & OILSEEDS PRODUCERS
This is my first MP report to the Constituents of the federal Riding of Wetaskiwin. I hope to use this space to keep you up to date on issues of interest to our area.
During the election campaign, the Conservative Party promised farmers that money from the grains and oilseeds program would be delivered as quickly as possible and the payment will be as large as possible. The first item to be addressed by the new Harper cabinet showed that the well-being of the family farm is of prime importance to the new federal government and to the Canadian economy.
Agriculture and Agri-food Minister, Chuck Strahl announced on February 6th that oil and grainseeds producers would start receiving almost all of their payment from the $755 million Grains and Oilseeds Payment Program (GOPP) in two weeks. The final (smaller) payment will be issued in the fall of 2006. Most of the funding will be delivered to producers in the initial payment which will represent 7.47 percent of average net sales of eligible commodities. For example, a producer with average net sales of $70,000 will receive an initial payment of $5,229.
The cheques are in the mail for producers with sales of eligible grains, oilseeds and special crops who participated in the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program in 2004. No applications are necessary. Those producers who did not participate in 2004 CAIS or began farming in 2005 must apply to receive a payment. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2006.
For more detailed information or to obtain an application form, producers can call the GOPP administration toll free line at 1-866-367-8506 or visit the Web site at www.agr.gc.ca/gopp.
Now that my Constituency Office (located at #6, 4612 - 50th Street, Ponoka, T4J 1S7) is up and running, feel free to call us at (403) 783-5530 or toll free at 1-800-665-0865 if you need information about this program or other federally related matters. I have been assigned a Parliamentary office in Ottawa and my staff and I hope to be settled into Room 802 Justice Building in the next couple of weeks.
I’ll keep you posted as the government unveils more initiatives and fulfills more commitments. Please feel free to send me your comments and feedback.
-30-