Author: rgoulet

Councillor: Rural Municipality of Arlington No. 79

Division No. 1, 3, 5

MP Patzer would like to raise awareness on this issue and to pressure the government to roll back any changes to the border crossing hours. For every 25 signatures, MP Patzer can present the petition on the floor of the House of Commons. Please feel free to stop into the R.M. office to sign petition.

Possible reduction of hours of service at ports of entry: CBSA risks leaving border communities behind.

PROGRAM OUTLINE
The program will provide a cost-shared payment to RMs, First Nations, and producers that are active in their gopher control efforts and who follow the minimum level of service determined by the 2024-25 Gopher Control Program.

Program funding will be prorated among all eligible claimants to a maximum of 50 per cent paid for pest control product registered for use on gophers and up to $125 per raptor platform; but not exceeding 50 per cent of total expenses reported for the claim.

• The program will rebate:
o Up to 50 per cent of registered gopher control product expenses (less any taxes with verified invoices);
o As part of a non-chemical means to increase predation in the vicinity of gopher infestations, the use of raptor platforms and nest boxes are eligible for:
▪ Raptor platform materials installed this program year at 50 per cent of eligible cost (less any taxes with verified invoices) to a maximum rebate of a $125.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

The following minimum level of service is required to be considered for the Gopher Control Program rebate:
• Copies of invoices for all expenses claimed must be included. Taxes (GST and PST) are not eligible for rebate.
• Claims for registered gopher control products, raptor platforms and nest boxes are eligible when purchased/installed in the program year (January 1, 2024 to July 31, 2024).

All claims must be provided to the RM or First Nation office, where the Administrator or Land Manager will complete the “Part 4 RM or First Nation Certification” and forward completed claims to SARM. Eligible rebate payments for applicants will flow back through the RM or First Nation office they were claimed through.

Raptor platforms and nest boxes used near gopher colonies offer a cost-effective, long-term, sustainable management approach to increase predation where suitable nesting sites may be limited in the vicinity of gopher infestations.
• RMs, First Nations or producers claiming for the purchase of materials for each raptor platform and nest box installed in the program year, must include validating invoices with the claim form.
• Legal land descriptions or GPS coordinates to three digits must be provided for:
o Agricultural locations where each raptor platform and nest box being claimed for is installed.

Gopher Control Program Claim Form