REGINA — Canada’s Farm Show returned earlier than usual this year with the first March event in its 47-year history.
Organizers announced at the 2024 show that it would move from June to March after feedback from exhibitors and farmers.
Show director Carla Vipond said the trade show was sold out and there was already a waiting list for next year.
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The show footprint was revamped, as was the Launch Pad, where attendees can hear from experts and see product launches.
Premier Scott Moe addressed the opening day breakfast crowd, discussing the volatile trade situation and the expected federal election.
He repeated his call for an election as soon as possible, but he also wants prime minister Mark Carney to address the 100 per cent Chinese tariffs on canola and other products before that.
Moe told reporters this is the most urgent issue for the province.
“By the time even an election writ period is over federally, we’ll be facing substantial job loss not only in Saskatchewan but across Western Canada,” he said.
Moe and Carney have not yet spoken directly, but the premier said there is a possibility of a first ministers’ meeting this week. His attendance is uncertain because the government is announcing the provincial budget March 19.
“If he truly wants to represent Canadians, he needs to reach out to the Chinese government to plan and chart a path forward,” he said.
Moe also said he had spoken to most of the canola crushers in the province, as well as exporters and other stakeholders.
“They’ve been largely supportive of the government of Saskatchewan’s direction to this point,” he said.
NDP leader Carla Beck said she talked with producers at the show who are concerned about the tariffs. She said they want Canada to remove the 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles so that China will back down.
“Canola is such an important drop when it comes to this province. This is a must-do for this government and for the federal government,” she said.
Meanwhile, the inaugural winners of the new Innovators Recognition Program at the show were announced before the event began.
Jeremy Matuszewski, president of Thunderstruck Sales and Marketing at Winkler, Man., was named emerging innovator.
The farmer innovator award went to Colin Rosengren of Midale, Sask., who operates Rosengren Farms and co-founded Campresso.
Saskatchewan Ag in the Classroom executive director Sara Shymko received the community innovator award and Wilf Degelman, founder of Degelman Industries, was honoured as visionary innovator.
Contact karen.briere@producer.com
