STOP THE GOPHER CRISIS

Whereas farmers, ranchers, and producers across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are facing devastating losses from exploding Richardson’s Ground Squirrel (gopher) populations;

Whereas 123,000 acres were damaged in Saskatchewan alone in 2024, costing producers and taxpayers over $10.6 million in insurance payouts;

Whereas municipalities such as Lacombe County report 25%–50% of pasturelands suffering moderate to severe gopher damage, and Foothills County lost an estimated 15,000 acres of farmland this past year — representing over $3 million in local producer losses;

Whereas farmers are reporting broken irrigation lines, injured livestock, destroyed crops, repeated reseeding, and escalating financial strain;

Whereas unchecked growth in the gopher population is putting Canadian food production and economic viability of farmers at risk.

Whereas Alberta applied on October 2 for emergency access to strychnine, and Saskatchewan has since joined the application — yet no decision has been issued by the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency;

Whereas the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food said he would support an application for access to Strychnine;

And whereas farmers urgently need clarity and effective tools now to plan for the 2026 growing season and prevent even greater losses next year;

Therefore, be it resolved that we, the undersigned, call on the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Minister of Health to immediately approve emergency use of strychnine for gopher control, and to provide farmers with the tools they need to protect their crops, livelihoods, and Canada’s food supply.