Twenty-one rural Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development and MASC offices will be closing across the province.
An additional nine rural offices will remain open for Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development employees but closed to the public.
The Manitoba government is launching a new rural service delivery model to modernize services.
“Meeting the needs of our clients with professional knowledge, current research and data, connections to appropriate links, and timely, unbiased information has always been a priority for our department,” said Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen. “The array of services that will be provided online, by telephone or in-person at agricultural service centres throughout the province will offer producers a convenient and client-focused means to access the programs and services that are available to them.”
Effective April 1, Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development will leverage existing synergies with Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) to offer a single window for Manitoba farmers and businesses seeking services provided by either organization.
Through the modernization of the department and MASC’s physical footprint, 17 rural and northern offices will continue to deliver a multitude of services including:
- 10 agricultural service centres will provide insurance, lending, farmland school tax rebate and wildlife damage compensation services; handling of licensing and permits applications; and provide agriculture and resource development program information;
- five centres focusing on resource management, and;
- two centres focusing on mineral or petroleum services.
To support the multichannel service delivery model, an interactive online chat program, which will allow clients to access real-time assistance from a smartphone, tablet, computer or through a toll-free number, will be developed in the future.
In addition, each office will have a client-accessible kiosk to access online services and connect virtually with other government service providers.
“By investing in resources and new ideas, we are meeting clients’ needs to access services using a modern, robust approach,” added Pedersen. “We’re building capacity for future technological advances and elevating the client experience.”
Ten agricultural service centres will be located in:
- Arborg,
- Brandon,
- Dauphin,
- Headingley,
- Killarney,
- Morden,
- Neepawa,
- Portage la Prairie,
- Steinbach, and
- Swan River.
The centres will continue to provide Manitoba producers with products and services offered by Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC), an access point for permits and licenses issued by the department, and department and general government services program information and referrals.
Five service locations focused on integrated resource management will be in:
- Brandon,
- Gimli,
- Lac du Bonnet,
- The Pas, and
-- Thompson.
A service location focused on minerals will be located in Flin Flon and another service location focused on petroleum will be located in Virden.
Rural offices will continue to be provide workspace for Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development employees, but will no longer be open to the public in:
- Beausejour,
- Carberry,
- Carman,
- Melita,
- Minnedosa,
- Neepawa,
- Portage la Prairie,
- Roblin, and
- Virden.
Rural Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development and MASC offices will be closing in the following locations:
- Altona;
- Ashern;
- Birtle;
- Deloraine;
- Fisher Branch;
- Gladstone;
- Glenboro;
- Grandview;
- Hamiota;
- Lundar;
- Morris;
- Pilot Mound;
- Russell;
- Shoal Lake;
- Somerset;
- Souris;
- St–Pierre–Jolys;
- Ste. Rose du Lac;
- Teulon;
- Vita; and
- Waskada.
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