The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities intends to concentrate on agricultural issues this year, says president Ray Orb.
“The agriculture sector will continue to grow, and supporting that growth will be key,” Orb told delegates to SARMs’ annual convention in Regina last week.
He said this will mean working to improve productivity in rural Sask-atchewan by lobbying for a national disaster mitigation program, better rural broadband, funding under the Building Canada Fund and keeping the railway revenue cap.
SARM has also offered to work with the agriculture ministry to host an agriculture economic development symposium.
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“We need to look at best practices and success stories from those inside and outside our province that have been able to attract and retain agri-business successfully,” he said.
Premier Brad Wall has described the agricultural sector as a “rock star” for its economic performance particularly during the last couple of years.
Orb said SARM supports Wall in his opposition to a carbon tax.
“We are concerned that a national carbon tax may force extra costs on municipalities and all of our re-source industries, including agriculture,” he said.
Farmers can’t pass on the costs of diesel and fertilizer and should be exempted from the tax, he added.
“By supporting pipelines such as Energy East and carbon credits for farmers who practice carbon seq-uestration, we can help mitigate climate change,” Orb said.
SARM spent the past year working to improve governance practices. Fourteen amendments to update bylaws passed during the convention.
In elections, Carmen Sterling won a narrow 200-195 vote for vice-president over Harvey Malanowich from Division 4, who had been acting vice-president since the position became vacant.
That left Division 1 open and led to a three-way race, which was won by William Huber. Malanowich was unopposed in Division 4.
Division 3 director Larry Grant was also returned by acclamation.
In Division 5, incumbent Judy Harwood defeated challenger Murray Purcell.
