Following six months of research into the causes of poor rural internet and cellular service, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) has released the final report and recommendations of its Rural Connectivity Task Force (RCTF).
“We’ve spent months meeting industry experts and researching the issue of rural connectivity,” said Task Force Chair Jeremy Welter, who farms near Kerrobert. “That work has resulted in 43 recommendations that will help improve rural internet and cell service in Saskatchewan.”
The RCTF recommendations were ratified by the APAS membership at the 2021 APAS Annual Meeting on March 30. They are divided into seven major categories, including:
* Working Together – Supporting shared access to infrastructure and fair partnerships between service providers.
* Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen – Simplifying Canada’s regulatory structure for greater accountability, transparency, and efficiency.
* The Importance of Smaller Internet Service Providers – Supporting competition within the industry to ensure smaller players can survive, thrive, and support universal internet access.
* Optimizing Public Resources – Optimizing government funding and managing spectrum effectively.
* Regaining and Retaining Canadian Excellence – Ensuring that Canada takes a leadership role to build long-term sustainability within our telecommunications industry and infrastructure.
* Taking Control of the Saskatchewan Advantage – Leveraging our Crown Corporations to ensure that Saskatchewan plays a leadership role in achieving universal connectivity and realizing the social and economic benefits that come along with it.
* Consumer Protection – Ensuring consumers are guaranteed high-quality, affordable internet service.
Read the Rural Connectivity Task Force final report and recommendations at: apas.ca/connectivity
LEWIS RE-ELECTED APAS PRESIDENT
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) held its 2021 Annual General Meeting on March 30, 2021. Following the meeting, the APAS Board of Directors re-elected Todd Lewis, APAS Representative for RM of Lajord #128, as President for 2021.
Lewis farms at Gray, Saskatchewan with his family, and was first elected to the position at the end of 2016.
Ian Boxall of Tisdale and Bill Prybylski of Willowbrook were re-elected as Vice Presidents.
APAS Representatives also elected six Directors to the APAS board for a two-year term. Those individuals are highlighted in bold.
District One
Wanda Reid RM of Golden West #95
Steven Donald RM of Martin #122
District Two
Todd Lewis RM of Lajord #128
Bev Pirio RM of Laurier #38
District Three
Don Connick RM of Carmichael #109
Devin Harlick RM of Piapot #110
District Four
Ian Boxall RM of Connaught #457
Bill Prybylski RM of Garry #245
District Five
Donavon Block RM of Leroy, #339
One position to be elected in April
District Six
Scott Owens RM of Eldon #471
Jeremy Welter RM of Mariposa #350
Six resolutions were considered and passed during the virtual Annual General Meeting (please see appendix for complete resolutions). Delegates approved a motion calling for the rejection of the Grains code of practice and adopted 43 recommendations developed by the APAS Rural Connectivity Task Force on internet and cell service.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT APAS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
RURAL CONNECTIVTY
BE IT RESOLVED that the General Meeting ratify the recommendations contained in the APAS Rural Connectivity Task Force Report as presented.
LAND & ENVIRONMENT
Sask Power Fire Hazards and Claims Processes
WHEREAS As of March 2017, SaskPower amended their guidelines with respect to Firefighting claims on private property;
WHEREAS There have been multiple incidences since then where SaskPower has refused to compensate for Fire Fighting Claims resulting from downed powerlines;
BE IT RESOLVED that APAS lobby SaskPower and the Minister Responsible for SaskPower to review their guidelines with respect to Fire Fighting Claims and to consult with volunteer Fire Departments and landowners in that review process;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that APAS encourage SaskPower to immediately launch a program to identify potential fire hazard areas in consultation with landowners, address any potential liability issues, and take remedial actions.
Responsible Grains Code of Practice
WHEREAS The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops (CRSC) has developed a draft voluntary Code of Practice for Grain Production (Responsible Grain);
WHEREAS Canadian grain is of high quality and produced in accordance with science-based standards and regulations covering crop protection products, land-use management and environmental stewardship;
WHEREAS the Code is national in scope and contains recommendations that are inconsistent with the need to adapt farm practices to weather and production conditions that vary across regions and provinces;
WHEREAS there is considerable overlap but lack of integration between the Code and existing provincial Environmental Farm Plans, market-specific sustainability programs, and voluntary conservation projects;
BE IT RESOLVED that APAS reject the proposed Code of Practice for grain production; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops (CRSC) be encouraged to promote current farm practices and regulations and only proceed with additional “assurance benchmarks” that address a clear need/market risk, are producer driven, and recognize the value of current responsible stewardship practices.
CROPS & TRANSPORTATION
Wildlife Damage Programs for Grain in Temporary Storage
WHEREAS the use of grain bags and other temporary storage systems is increasingly common and sometimes essential practice for Saskatchewan farm operations;
WHEREAS grain in temporary storage is not afforded the same level of wildlife damage compensation and prevention program options available for stacked hay, silage and bales;
BE IT RESOLVED that APAS request that wildlife damage compensation and prevention programs be expanded to cover harvested production stored in grain bags and other temporary storage systems until April 1st.
Port of Vancouver Governance Reform
WHEREAS Transport Canada is currently undertaking a Ports Modernization Review;
WHEREAS Saskatchewan producers and other export industries have become increasingly reliant on the Port of Vancouver for trade and market access;
WHEREAS western Canadian provinces, as a group, ship up to 85% of the Port of Vancouver’s export value but only have 9% of the representation on its Board of Directors;
BE IT RESOLVED that APAS strongly support the request that Port of Vancouver governance structure be updated to include greater representation from western provincial governments and the export dependent industries in their jurisdictions.
Conversion of Grain Weight to Dry Matter Basis
WHEREAS producers can face significant price discounts when selling grain that exceeds Canadian Grain Commission’s (CGC) minimum moisture level for dry grain;
WHEREAS there is often no corresponding premium for grain that is lower than the minimum standards which can also result in a price reduction due to its lower weight;
WHEREAS there are federal regulations and standards in other industries, including the fuel industry, to correct for these types of discrepancies using regulated “conversion factors”;
BE IT RESOLVED that APAS request the federal government to establish a conversion factor for grains and oilseed that calculates weight on a “dry matter basis”, such that the weight of grain at final settlement is calculated at its minimum dry moisture level (e.g. 14.5% for wheat).
Producer Car Access to Port Terminals
WHEREAS producer car shipments are an important feature of Canada’s grain industry that promote competition and market diversification;
WHEREAS limited access to Port handling capacity and the unreasonable cost of services have combined to hinder producer car usage in recent years;
WHEREAS the Canada Grain Act contains provisions concerning producers’ right to “railway cars” while designating primary and terminal elevators to be “works in the general advantage of Canada”;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Grain Commission use its authority under the Canada Grain Act to ensure producer car shipments are provided access to Port handling and loading services at competitive rates.