CRAIK, Sask. – With the creation of two new legislative secretary positions, Saskatchewan is said to be giving greater importance to potential growth sectors.
Saskatchewan Rivers MLA Lon Borgerson has been named legislative secretary for organic farming and Saskatoon Greystone MLA Peter Prebble has been given the same title for the renewable energy file.
Lorne Calvert said the first appointment recognizes the growing importance of the organic sector.
“I hope it sends a very strong message of support,” said the premier during his announcement at the Craik Eco-Centre.
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The second appointment is the first step toward living up to a promise Calvert made in the November 2005 throne speech where he vowed that by 2020, one-third of the province’s energy needs will be met by renewable sources.
“I’ve asked Peter to give us the blueprint to achieve this vision for the people of the province of Saskatchewan,” said Calvert.
Both MLAs will report to the premier and are expected to provide him with detailed recommendations for the two sectors at the end of their one-year terms.
Calvert said with more than 1,200 certified organic producers, nearly 100 processors and an international reputation for clean, wide-open spaces, Saskatchewan is well positioned to be “the natural home for leadership in organic agriculture.”
Borgerson said one of his chief responsibilities will be to identify constraints and provide recommendations on how to overcome them.
He will also provide advice to the premier on what market opportunities exist for raw products and processed goods and will be a liaison between producers and the government.
“I will be a point of contact for Saskatchewan citizens on organic issues and will be their voice in the Saskatchewan government,” said Borgerson.
Prebble is to provide short, medium and long-term action plans on how the province can meet the premier’s 33 percent target for renewable energy within 14 years.
The plan will require acceleration of wind energy projects, development of new initiatives relying on solar energy and expansion of the biofuels sector.
Prebble said the province will have a tough time meeting the premier’s goal in some sectors like transportation, where it is still struggling to implement a 7.5 percent ethanol mandate.
“This should be in place within the next year to 18 months,” he said.
But it will easily exceed the one-third target in other sectors such as electrical generation, where 29 percent of the end product is already being derived from renewable resources.
Prebble, who stepped down from cabinet in February, is excited about his new duties.
“Our future and the future of generations to come depends very much on our stewardship of the environment, particularly with regards to energy.”
He will present short-term recommendations to the premier this October and will file a final report by June 2007. Borgerson expects to produce an interim report early next year followed by his final recommendations in June 2007.
