Action Committee on the Rural Economy (ACRE)

Interim Recommendations
January 25, 2001

1. Access to capital funding

That the provincial government improve access to capital funding by:

• Establishing an Agricultural Venture Capital Fund aimed at stimulating new capital investment in large farm-related and value-added agriculture;
• Establishing an Enterprise Investment Fund that would enable equity investment into new or expanded agri-business by smaller groups of interested investors in a local community;
• Establishing a loan guarantee program for the feedlot industry; and
• Investigating the development of an Adjustment/Transition Rural Development Fund aimed at smaller on-farm diversification and expansion projects, as well as value-added and non-agricultural business enterprises, that could assist with intergenerational transfers and rural development.

2. Rural skills development program

That the provincial government, in co-operation with the federal government, place a priority on establishing a skills development program designed to help producers to remain in rural Saskatchewan by:

• Assisting people in acquiring or improving farm management skills (expanded extension/technology transfer activities);
• Assisting producers in adjusting their enterprise into new agricultural opportunity areas (such as education/business planning/mentoring);
• Assisting producers by improving their opportunities for off-farm employment (such as skills training through green certificate programs, SIAST, regional colleges, universities); and
• Assisting producers develop the skills necessary for full-time employment should they choose to exit farming.

3. Approval process for rural development projects

That the Government of Saskatchewan facilitate rural development by implementing:

• An ongoing regulatory review to assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of all regulations;
• A timely process to examine specific regulatory issues raised by those involved in industry;
• A mechanism to guide proponents through the approval process; and
• An ombudsman to serve as an independent, third-party adjudicator of disputes for agriculture and food.
• All levels of governments will commit to clear standards of accountability for development projects.

4. Communication infrastructure

That the federal and provincial governments take necessary actions, including increased funding, to provide universal affordable access to high-speed Internet and cell phone coverage to all residents throughout Saskatchewan.

5. Immigration policy

That the Government of Saskatchewan devote more resources to the immigration file.
Among the areas that the province should concentrate on include the following:

• ensure that the current Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is fully utilized with a more aggressive marketing approach;
• make the PNP a permanent agreement and negotiate with the federal government to increase the number of nominees (as the province feels necessary) under a future PNP;
• that the needs of the agricultural and rural sectors be taken into account as the province considers broadening the scope of skills it will consider under the PNP.

It is recommended that the Government of Saskatchewan discuss with the federal government a federal/provincial agreement on migrant workers similar to agreements in other provinces.

6. Education/publicity program on rural Saskatchewan successes and competitive position

That the Government of Saskatchewan make a commitment to a major public education program aimed at Saskatchewan that emphasizes our rural strength and resilience and the facts about our competitiveness with other provinces - to be contracted through a third party.