President's Report: Mar'09
The lengthening days roll past quickly here at the APAS offices in Regina. Each day offers up a never ending supply of issues and opportunities for those of us
entrusted with your voice.
The 2009 federal budget analysis and our detailed response consumed numerous hours of staff and executive time this winter. The media interest and subsequent exposure was significant, to say the least, ensuring APAS was clearly recognized for standing up for livestock producers while other groups remained silent or opted for a wait-and-see approach. I can only hope that the combined efforts of APAS and other sector representatives - along with the clear message from
Saskatchewan Premier Wall and his Ministers recognizing the need for increased and immediate support for the livestock sector - will translate into solid action and effort between provincial and federal counterparts to ensure the future of Canada’s livestock producers. Recent reports of significant reductions in the size of the herd in Saskatchewan and across the country only serve to illustrate our point that the damage is already significant and exodus is well under way.
VP Jeff Simpson, General Manager Nial Kuyek and I had the pleasure of attending the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) AGM in Winnipeg at the end of
January. I was extremely honoured to address the KAP membership, extending our greetings and congratulations on their 25th anniversary. The event was also a great opportunity to enhance our relationship with CFA Vice- President Lauren Pellerin and Executive Director Brigid Rivoire, International Association of Agriculture’s Past President Jack Wilkinson and of course of our close
friends and partners within KAP.
The Board has met regularly since the December AGM n order to assign committee roles and to engage Board members in a joint BOD meeting and all-day review of APAS strategic plan. The 2009 Policy Committee
members have had a busy February as well, with the livestock Committee, the Environment Committee and the Grains and Oilseeds Committees attending extensive meetings in Regina; while the Economic, Trade and Strategic Growth Committee and the Governance Committees were forced to postpone their meetings until early this March due to icy road conditions across parts of the
province. I would personally like to take this opportunity to thank the individual members of those committees for their efforts in developing clear objectives and detailed strategies that will deliver sound policy recommendations to the Board and staff of APAS.
February and early March also saw a flurry of face-to-face meetings with committed and concerned RM councils across the province. Many RM councils requested a meeting with the new Executive in order to review and renew their commitment to the value of APAS while ensuring that the organization’s leaders remain responsible, reasonable and rational. Its no secret that as an organization, APAS had a rough and tumble ride over the past year or more. But as a result of facing these challenges head on and honestly, I know that staff, Executive, Board and member RM Councils are wholly committed to ensuring that rural ratepayers have a clear and credible voice in both Regina and Ottawa.
I also believe that these meetings are an opportunity to present and monitor the changes that have been made throughout the organization and to communicate the efforts currently underway to demonstrate that we have learned from our past errors and are making a committed efforts to re-engage RM Administrators, Reeves, Councils and ratepayers in promoting healthy and prosperous rural communities throughout our province. I am very pleased to see that the response to these visits has been a renewed commitment to two-way communications
and continued dialogue between RM Councils and APAS Directors and between RM Administrators and the APAS staff.
Thank you to the RM Councils of Big Arm, Coulee, Garden River, Martin, Mariposa, Moosomin, Mountain View, Nipawin, Prairie Rose, Touchwood, Wawken,
Willowdale and Winslow for including APAS on your recent meeting agendas. We are genuinely appreciative of and look forward to your continued interest and active participation in YOUR organization.
On the provincial programs front, recently Saskatchewan producers got a first look at the ‘new and improved’ Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Program. As you are
aware, APAS researched and lobbied for the inclusion of a number of key recommendations which we were pleased to see highlighted in the 2009 program: most significantly the introduction of yield trending and cushioning, full wildlife damage compensation, and enhanced incentives to increase program knowledge.
We were also happy to see the Corporation exploring reinsurance options in order to help stabilize premium rates. Our goal is to continue to promote a full ‘cost-of-
production insurance’ concept at both the federal and provincial levels.
In response to calls by your Representatives for an increased presence on the radio airwaves, in print and online; we, have met with a number of provincial radio networks in order to launch promotional campaigns to share the APAS message and increase the awareness of the importance of a united voice in agriculture. Stay tuned to CJME NewsTalk Radio, CKRM 620AM, CK750AM and CJGX104 as we remind listeners of the power of forty-five thousand plus united farm operators.
Listen to "You can call all you want"
Listen to "Is anyone listening?"
The March 26 edition of the Western Producer will also include a copy of the March 2009 APAS Newsletter so that ratepayers across the province can be more effectively informed about how APAS is working to help all of them.
We are also encouraging ratepayers and other stakeholders to visit our website at www.apas.ca daily for up-to-date information about APAS activities
and regional and local agricultural stories that affect your community.
Members of our Executive, Board and staff (including myself) headed to Ottawa
on Feb 23 to carry the united voice of Saskatchewan’s farmers and ranchers to
the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s annual meeting, which took place late in February. The theme of this year’s event was an Outlook On Agriculture: Profitability in a changing global economy.
APAS Delegates attending included Vice-Presidents Jeff Simpson and Don
Connick, Directors Ernie Briggs (District 1) and Norm Nordgulen (District 2) as
well as APAS General Manager, Nial Kuyek and myself.
The CFA meeting activities included regular business such as committee meetings, the CFA National Council meeting, election of a new President and two Vice Presidents, as well as numerous speakers and presentations; including Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Gerry Ritz and Leader of the Official Opposition Party, Michael Ignatieff. Key presenters also discussed topics such as the changing farm economy and connecting rural and urban Canadians.
While in Ottawa, APAS delegates hosted a Thursday evening dinner meeting
with some of the thirteen Conservative MPs from Saskatchewan as well as
attending one-on-one meetings with the Liberal and NDP Agriculture critics.
Additional reports from the Ottawa trip are available by exploring the website.
And of course, this year APAS was at the annual SARM convention and trade show in Saskatoon between March 9 and 12. In order to ensure we had a chance to
meet with APAS Member RMs during the convention, the APAS Board hosted a special Welcome Reception on Monday, March 9 , from 7 to 11 pm in
The Hilton Garden Inn Ballroom, directly across the street from TCU Place where
Registration was taking place. The theme of Monday’s reception was ‘Fly to the Eagles with APAS’ and I am thrilled to announce that APAS was lucky enough to
secure two VIP FRONT ROW tickets to the Eagles SOLD OUT show on TUESDAY March 10 at Credit Union Centre courtesy of Dash Tours (we also purchased some
trendy Eagles merchandise to makes sure the winner are appropriately dressed). As our way of saying thanks, one lucky RM Reeve, Administrator or Councillor that
attended the Welcome Reception went to this amazing concert with
a guest. Click here to see who the winner was....
See you soon...
Greg Marshall
President