Rural politicians like the idea of standardizing rules to make it easier for business to operate in Saskatchewan.
Delegates to last week’s Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention approved a proposal from the board of directors to examine how this could be done.
SARM president Neal Hardy said this type of initiative has to come from the grassroots.
“We’re an undeveloped oasis,” SARM president Neal Hardy said. “I don’t believe the province can lead this. I believe it has to come from us.”
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Delegates heard that per acre gross revenue in Saskatchewan is the lowest in the country. Statistics show that only in Saskatchewan did rural employment decline between 1996 and 2003.
Regina-based communications consultant Paul Martin said the patchwork of regulation in rural Saskatchewan makes it difficult for energy companies to do business. Yet, that sector is one that is likely to grow.
Most delegates spoke in favour of setting up a 14-person committee comprising representatives from each SARM division and the rural administrators’ association. The committee is to have a blueprint for how to streamline regulations ready for the mid-term convention next November.
“It’s absolutely imperative if we want to attract business and industry” to have common regulations, said one delegate.
Another spoke of the need to attract to rural areas some of the $150 million in investment capital sitting in the province’s credit unions.
A couple of others cautioned against getting involved in projects like hog barns, which were supposed to be some communities’ salvation but ended up losing money.
Hardy said SARM would only be involved in setting the right climate for economic growth, not actively working to attract businesses.
