APAS AT WORK
APAS at Work
Producers across the province are constantly adapting their business to new regulations and legislation while dealing with unreliable internet and cellular connectivity and ever-changing restrictions and isolation from the COVID-19 pandemic. APAS has been working to ensure producers have certainty in the agricultural industry through its many ongoing policy and advocacy projects. Here's an overview of our work over the past few months. For more information on APAS projects, visit apas.ca.
APAS Rural Connectivity Task Force final report
The Task Force’s final report and recommendations were released on April 1. The report has been sent to provincial and federal elected officials, government staff, SaskTel, the CRTC, and others – numerous people and organizations have already requested meetings with APAS to discuss the report.
Supreme Court ruling on the carbon tax
On March 25, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the federal government’s carbon tax is constitutional, but APAS will keep advocating for the government to create further exemptions for producers.
APAS letter to Ministers Harpauer and Marit on AgriStability
On February 12, APAS sent a letter to Minister of Finance, Donna Harpauer and Minister Agriculture, David Marit, encouraging them to accept the recent federal proposal to improve AgriStability.
APAS comments on Federal Greenhouse Gas Credit System Regulations
APAS sent a submission to the Federal Government consultation on May 5 regarding the proposed regulations for the Federal Greenhouse Gas Credit System. In the letter, APAS outlined that the country needs separate biological sinks and industrial emissions and abandon arbitrary and unscientific policies around baselines and adapt rates. APAS’s letter also included comments regarding the revision and retirement of offset protocols and long-term support for biological offset protocols.
"Provincial offset policies should reward the work of agricultural producers to increase their sequestration potential, plus recognize the essential services they provide by managing carbon within the agricultural landscape."
"APAS will keep advocating for the government to create further exemptions for producers."
Federal pre-Budget consultation meeting with Minister Carr
On February 9, APAS met with Minister Jim Carr (Special Representative for the Prairies) to provide feedback on the federal government’s pre-budget consultation process. Improving Business Risk Management programs, the importance of creating carbon tax exemptions and a carbon offset policy for producers, the need for a rail costing review, and improving rural connectivity were some of the items APAS discussed during the meeting.
APAS letter of support for Bill C-206
In March, APAS sent a letter supporting passage of Bill C-206, which is a Private Members Bill in Parliament to eliminate the carbon tax on natural gas and propane used for on-farm grain drying and heating.
"APAS will continue working with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and other groups to get additional BRM improvements for producers."
APAS letter of support for Bill C-208
In March, APAS also sent a letter supporting passage of Bill C-208, which is a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament that would remove the distinction between “arm’s length” and “non-arm’s length” as they relate to the sale of farm businesses, which would make it more attractive to sell a farm to a family member.
Meeting with Economy Caucus Policy Committee
On March 15, APAS met with the Saskatchewan Party’s Economy Caucus Policy Committee to discuss numerous issues, including the need for continued investment in research, trade, and market development. Improvements to environmental programs (carbon credit offsets, water management, funding for water infrastructure) and skills development were also discussed.
Removal of AgriStability Reference Margin Limit
On March 25, the federal and provincial governments reached an agreement to remove the AgriStability Reference Margin Limit (RML). While removing the RML is a positive step, there was no increase to AgriStability’s compensation rate. APAS will continue working with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and other groups to get additional BRM mprovements for producers.
APAS submission on carbon offsets
APAS sent a submission about carbon offsets to the provincial Ministry of Environment on April 16. Provincial offset policies should reward the work of agricultural producers to increase their sequestration potential, plus recognize the essential services they provide by managing carbon within the agricultural landscape.
APAS submission to the Canada Grain Act review
APAS sent its Canada Grain Act review submission to AAFC on April 22. The mandate and governance structure of the Canada Grain Act needs to be maintained, plus outward inspection has to remain a function of the CGC. APAS also proposes greater transparency in market information and increased federal funding to the CGC.
For more details on APAS’s policy and advocacy work, visit apas.ca.
