OTTAWA — The Canadian Federation of Agriculture ended last year in a strong financial position despite the loss of four members.
An $80,000 budget deficit projected for the year after the Canadian Pork Council, CWB, Pioneer Hi-Bred and the Canadian Horticultural Council left the organization did not materialize.
In fact, CFA ended the year with a surplus, delegates to its annual meeting heard last week.
A streamlined governance structure, reduced spending and the addition of a new associate member, Equine Canada, resulted in a total surplus of $90,465.
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Income was 7.1 percent higher than budget, and expenses were 11.9 percent under budget.
Still, the organization is projecting a $23,000 deficit for this year.
Executive director Brigid Rivoire said in her report to the meeting that CFA adapted to change.
“The 2012 benchmark member survey, in addition to discussions with members’ boards, highlighted a growing disconnect and general lack of awareness and understanding of the work of the CFA office beyond the CFA representatives and members’ general managers,” she wrote.
However, members voted in favour of bylaw changes that streamlined the organization and targeted financial and human resources, she said.
A special committee was formed to work on revenue enhancement, ongoing policy committees were discontinued and special issue committees were established.
“Through the concerted and combined efforts of staff and elected, the projected $83,000 deficit budget was eliminated, with no decrease but rather an increase in offerings and services to members,” Rivoire said.
The special issue committees included taxation, pipelines, research and trade policy review.
