Legislative Report, 3 November 2004

As we head into a shortened fall session of the Legislature in the middle of this month, agriculture will take a priority as we stress to the NDP, the importance of assisting our agriculture industry in any way possible. In addition to pressuring the government to live up to its commitment to fund its share of the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program, the Saskatchewan Party is also calling on the federal government to eliminate the large cash deposit required from producers to simply enroll in the program. On a recent trip to Ottawa, Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall raised this issue with the federal finance minister, as well as the opposition agriculture critic. The year 2004 has been one of the worst on record for producers – some have even called it the perfect storm. From the ongoing BSE crisis, to the early killing frosts, and poor quality crops to a late harvest, many producers are already talking about how difficult it will be to come up with the cash required for the deposit.

If the federal government were to eliminate the deposit, it would not come at a cost to them, as it is not a premium. It is a small step for the federal government that will have a most welcome impact on the cash flow problems a number of Saskatchewan producers are facing or will face by next spring.

Past Legislative Reports