Frequently asked Questions and Answers

How will ACRE work? What is its mandate?
ACRE's purpose is to act as a catalyst for positive change and economic growth in rural Saskatchewan. See our mandate.

Since its inception in 2002, ACRE has analyzed and examined various aspects of the Saskatchewan rural economy and has provided a total of 220 recommendations to government. The committee has in place a process to monitor progress on government response to the recommendations ACRE has made to government.

ACRE has now embarked on Phase III of its mandate, looking at how communities and the small businesses and entrepreneurs within them can move forward in a regional context. A major focus is being placed on the growing role that Aboriginal people will play in the rural economy in our province. Two subcommittees are currently studying these issues and will be developing recommendations for submission to the provincial government.

What is the timeframe for ACRE's Phase III mandate?
The ACRE mandate has been extended to March 31, 2008, by which time it expects to have completed its work and presented its final report and recommendations to government.

How long will it be before rural Saskatchewan actually sees some concrete results from ACRE?
While ACRE recognized from its outset that there would be no short-term fix for the problems facing Saskatchewan's rural communities, its work has started to make a real difference. ACRE's Monitoring Subcommittee reported that almost two-thirds of the 220 recommendations to government have already been acted upon, including important changes to resource royalty structures, farmland ownership regulations and business taxes.

Rural Saskatchewan is more than just agriculture. Are other government departments involved in this process?
The ACRE process is designed to look at ways to rejuvenate rural Saskatchewan. ACRE's recommendations have touched many government departments, Crown corporations and agencies. The government has put in place a process to assess those recommendations and determine how they could be implemented.

What elements of rural Saskatchewan does ACRE represent?
ACRE brings together many interests from the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. See our list of Committee Members.

Why is the membership of the group so large?
The interests in rural Saskatchewan are diverse, and committee members were chosen to reflect that reality. There is a lot of interest from rural residents in being part of the ACRE process.

What will this committee cost the taxpayers of Saskatchewan?
ACRE's expected budget for 2007-2008 is $150,000. It is important to think of this expenditure as an investment in rural Saskatchewan.

What is the current status of ACRE?
On January 19, 2007, ACRE officially launched Phase III, its next phase of work on the rural economy. This work will focus on defining and enhancing community and developing small business and entrepreneurship. Two new subcommittees have been struck to carry out this work and develop recommendations for government. The ACRE Monitoring Subcommittee remains in place and will continue to monitor the government's progress on implementing recommendations that ACRE has put forward.

What is the relationship between the Government's new Regional Economic and Co-operative Development department and ACRE?
ACRE continues to look for ways to revitalize rural Saskatchewan, and in that process will interact with departments and agencies across government. The new Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Department, with its special focus on rural Saskatchewan, will serve as the lead contact agency for ACRE within government and will provide continued support to ACRE as it goes about its important work.

How can I contact ACRE?
Details of how to send your comments to ACRE can be found on the Contact Us page of this website.