MELFORT, Sask.- Labour uncertainty and a slow approval process for
development projects could send investment dollars out of Saskatchewan,
says Brad Wildeman of the Action Committee on the Rural Economy.
ACRE was formed in 2000 to study strategies for stimulating the rural
economy and is reporting its findings at public meetings across the
province.
“A lot have said ‘we won’t invest because you change the rules,’ ” said
Wildeman, at a meeting in Melfort Feb. 13.
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Wildeman, president of Pound-Maker Agventures, sits on ACRE’s
agri-value committee. In January 2001, ACRE presented a number of
interim recommendations to government, including the need to address
labour issues in agricultural operations.
ACRE was told a discussion would occur to examine how the business and
labour climates compare with neighbouring provinces and to allow ACRE
to share what its 43 community and organization leaders learned in
their consultations.
ACRE is still waiting for that meeting, said Wildeman: “We’re
frustrated that has not happened.”
It asked government for reviews to assess regulations, a mechanism to
guide developers through the approval process and an ombudsman to serve
as an independent adjudicator of disputes in agricultural sectors.
Wildeman said the department of labour has hired a consultant to look
at labour issues, but meanwhile the minister announced proposed changes
for hog barn workers.
That worries Wildeman, who feels it could be the first step in changing
labour laws for all agricultural workers.
It could also mean the committee’s 150 recommendations that will be
presented in a final report next month will not get a fair hearing, he
said.
“Someone outside of this process trying to undermine the process has
decided they don’t need us any more.”
ACRE co-chair Audrey Horkoff said her group’s mandate is to relay
concerns raised in its consultations.
“The big concern in Saskatchewan is that we be competitive with the
neighbouring provinces,” she said. “We are not lobbyists but a group of
people talking to rural Saskatchewan, identifying concerns and passing
that word on to those who make the decisions.”
ACRE believes Saskatchewan needs to create 33,000 jobs in the coming
decades to add another $2 billion of wealth every year.
At the Melfort meeting, committee members were told government needs to
support agribusiness and cottage industries and help rural
entrepreneurs.
ACRE has proposed mentorship programs to link rural residents with
those in business. It also suggests a number of skills training and
development programs to keep youth in the province.
The committee compiled a booklet detailing community success stories.
ACRE hopes an opportunities conference in March in Saskatoon will
further showcase what others have done in their communities. Youth also
gathered in Saskatoon Feb. 15-17 to discuss their role in the future of
rural Saskatchewan.
Horkoff said she got involved with ACRE to ensure a future for youth.
“Our ancestors came here with nothing and built it up and now it’s
falling down and what are we doing to stop that,” she asked.
Wildeman said Saskatchewan has declined over a 50-year span and that
will not stop overnight.
“We can’t keep services if we lose people,” Wildeman said.
He said Saskatchewan will have to add more value to its products to
make land worth more. That will require both public and private
investment.
“It takes a lot more than just wishing for it,” he said. “We need
people to come back and we need them to stay.”
Among the recommendations already made by ACRE are:
- Improve access to capital by establishing funds for large and small
investments, a loan guarantee program for the feedlot industry, and an
adjustment-transition fund that could assist intergenerational
transfers.
- Develop a rural skills development program.
- Improve the government approval process for rural development.
- Implement universal high-speed internet access and cellular phone
coverage.
- Allow migrant workers into the province, which would help develop the
vegetable industry.
- Promote rural Saskatchewan through a public education program.
