It was a day for mutual gratitude.
Canadian Western Agribition presented the federal agriculture
department with the first ever Builders Award for its support of the
32-year-old Regina show.
At the same time the chair of the federal standing committee on
agriculture, Charles Hubbard, announced Agribition would receive
$150,000 from Ottawa this year, an increase of $50,000.
Hubbard, who is the MP for Miramichi, N.B., made his first trip to
Agribition to announce the increase.
“Canadian agriculture wants to make sure you have a top notch show,” he
said, adding he was impressed with what he had seen.
The federal funds will be used to support Agribition’s international
marketing program, including the International Business Centre on the
grounds.
This year, there were more than 500 international guests from 49
countries and 19 American states registered.
Agribition president Gary Anderson said Agriculture Canada has
contributed more than $2.5 million to the show since it began in 1971.
Department employees have also volunteered many hours of their time.
