Business Risk Management Programs: Ensure program design and delivery effectively meet the needs of both new and established agricultural producers, with supports that reduce operational risk and assist the long-term stability of agriculture producers. Livestock traceability: Ensuring agricultural stakeholders are engaged in the early development of legislative and regulatory changes to address cost pressures, implementation feasibility, and regulatory burden. Bill C-273 An Act to Amend the Feeds Act, the Fertilizers Act, the Seeds Act, the Pest Control Act and the Food and Drugs Act: to ensure it give farmers faster access to safe and reliable new technologically advanced products or more crop input options. Bill S-238: An Act to enact the Climate-Aligned Finance Act and to make related amendments to other Acts – climate-aligned financial reporting will be a cost burden for agricultural producers, local municipal governments and small businesses in rural Saskatchewan. Agriculture-advocating on policies with regards to research and technology that drives innovation, maximizing productivity, and/or ensuring the sustainability of food systems. Irrigation infrastructure for agriculture in Saskatchewan. Need a joint infrastructure agreement with Saskatchewan. National Highway Funding - the need for a dedicated and permanent funding model. Infrastructure: The importance of dedicated funding for rural municipal infrastructure projects to Canada's economy. Firearms: Participating in consultations on reducing rural crime and policy consultations to acts, regulations and programs relative to the possession, acquisition of firearms and disposal of firearms. Emission reductions - Focus on the agricultural practices in Saskatchewan that are contributing to carbon emission reductions while improving the competitiveness and profit of producers. Emergency Management - concerns that rural municipalities have with respect to obtaining operational and capital funding for training, equipment and infrastructure for rural Saskatchewan emergency responders. Critical Minerals - The importance to rural economic development, future energy needs, the economy and agricultural producers in Saskatchewan as well the importance to the Canadian economy and to global food security. Telecommunications: Radio license fees and renewals for public safety responders- discuss the importance for radio license fees and renewals to be at reasonable rates for volunteer emergency responders. Bill C-2: An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures. Concerns over wait times, drug trafficking, immigration, and funding. Bill S-230: An Act respecting the development of a natural strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement. The importance of working with municipal governments when determining a national strategy. Water treatment systems; alternative water treatment technologies continue to be explored to allow options for rural municipalities. Water Infrastructure – the need for funding to develop and enhance water storage, conservation and distribution infrastructure for potable and non-potable water. Vaccines: SARM would like more federal investments into VIDO here in Saskatchewan for vaccine development, research and storage. Trade Agreements: Canada European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, (CETA) and Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), our request is to better international trade for agriculture producers. The Rural Municipal (RM) Tax Loss Compensation Fund and the Rural Municipal Specific Claims Tax Loss Compensation Fund, which are tied to the Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement, continue to decrease in funds and is unsustainable without municipalities absorbing significant reduction in monies from the Funds. The Agreement need to be reviewed. Species at Risk Act (SARA) - providing input o
Water treatment systems, alternative water treatment technologies continue to be explored ad where feasible, applicable regulations and guidelines be updated to allow for the most efficient use of those technologies. Vaccine Development: resulting from the COVID-19, SARM would like to see vaccine development in SK and throughout the Country- SARM supports VIDO's initiatives Transportation policy and regulation with regard to grain and grain products, and the products of agriculture generally. Trade Agreements, including Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) and Untied States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA), our request is to better international trade for agriculture producers. The Rural Municipal (RM) Tax Loss Compensation Trust Fund tied to Treaty Land Entitlement Agreements continues to decrease and appears to be unsustainable without municipalities absorbing significant reduction in monies from the fund. The Canada Infrastructure Bank - irrigation infrastructure for agriculture in Saskatchewan Species at Risk Act (SARA), mitigating the effects of SARA for landowners, municipalities. Rural Healthcare & Recruitment - funding for increase recruitment and retention of healthcare workers in remote rural areas of Saskatchewan Rural Crime; in regard to a provincial police force RCMP presence in rural Saskatchewan. Preventing rural crime. RCMP – given the economic increase/market adjustments in the collective agreement, pay increases total more than 23 per cent over the six years, retroactive to 2017 & SARM is calling on the federal government to fully absorb all retroactive pay increases that the federal government negotiated RCMP costs - related costs coupled with rising policing costs overall could result in significant financial burdens for municipalities Railway tax exemptions – CP Rails request for tax exemption will affect provincial budget and revenue sharing Rail Safety; Transporting dangerous goods by rail. Grade crossing improvements. Providing comments on the need for improvements to the Temporary Foreign Workers TFW) program. Port of Vancouver grain loading issues, Railway/supply chain concerns especially around being able to move the crop from 2022 harvest to ports Pipeline: The pipeline as a greener alternative to shipping oil and gas and the positive effect on Saskatchewan. Participating in consultations on reducing violent crime; consultations on Canada's gun laws. Navigation Protection Act; placed administrative and financial burdens on municipal infrastructure projects. National Disaster Mitigation Program; to ensure mitigation projects are strategically and effectively undertaken. Mutual aid agreements; formalizing mutual aid agreements is important because RMs need assurance that they will be reimbursed for providing emergency services to neighbouring municipalities and First Nations. Municipal access to Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant Liberal Fertilizer Reduction plan Justice and Law Enforcement with regard to amending acts and regulations in relation to firearms. International trade with respect to agricultural products. Infrastructure funding programs for municipalities with regard to the need for continued and increased levels of funding. Infrastructure funding; ensuring eligibility requirements and thresholds allow rural municipalities to access infrastructure funding. Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act and Clean Fuel Regulations; in regard to the impact it will have on Western Canada's agricultural producers and municipalities. Food Security – Provide farm operations with the eligibility to apply for the 1A grant funding; incentivize employment and employee retention programs in rural areas of the country to aid in stabilizing labour supply; provide employment training opportunities to be held well in advance of busy times in the Ag industry; and ask that the federal government evaluate its process and the requirements for newcomers to get proper permits to enter the Canadian workforce. Focus on
Bill S-243: An Act to enact the Climate-Aligned Finance Act and to make related amendments to other Acts – climate-aligned financial reporting will be a cost burden for agricultural producers, local municipal governments and small businesses in rural Saskatchewan. Bill C-317: An Act to establish a national strategy respecting flood and drought forecasting – advocate for drought resilience as a vital component of the national strategy for flood and drought forecasting and collaboration with local stakeholders. Bill C-293: An Act respecting pandemic prevention and preparedness – ensure this Bill addresses undermining of the agricultural sectors viability and supply chain disruptions. Bill C-282: An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management) – SARM advocates for a balanced approach that supports supply-managed sectors while protecting the interests of all agricultural producers and rural communities. Bill C-234: An Act to amend Greenhouse Gas and Pollution Pricing Act – remove carbon tax from grain drying and barn heating. Food Security – the importance of enhancing agricultural infrastructure, mitigating food inflation and rising fuel costs, ensuring fertilizer availability and recognition for sustainable farming practices. Water Infrastructure – the need for funding to develop and enhance water storage, conservation and distribution systems to mitigate drought conditions. Energy- Reliable source options and the importance of affordable access for rural Saskatchewan and the need for providing incentives for agricultural operations to adopt emission-reducing practices. Mental Health – the need for the building of more treatment centers for mental health issues and treatment for addictions. The importance of funding for mental health support for youth and accessibility for help options for youth. Water management – A balanced Water Stewardship Policy is needed in Saskatchewan to promote sustainable agriculture, protect resources, and drive economic growth. Road and Bridge Projects and the projects near water review process. Timely approval of these reviews is a concern as this impacts project construction timelines that are time sensitive. Municipal access to Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant for class 1A driver training. Liberal Fertilizer reduction plan and the need for a balanced approach between the environment and agriculture industry as it relates to food security. Justice and Law Enforcement with regard to amending acts and regulations relative to the possession and acquisition of firearms. Enhancements to the Criminal Code: review penalties for repeat offenders. Bridge and Road Funding – Supply chain impacts Canadas economy which shows the importance of maintaining strong transportation infrastructure. Rural Saskatchewan needs more funding for maintaining bridges and roads in order to carry agriculture, mining and forestry products to market. Animal Health as it relates to the Bovine TB testing process and compensation to the livestock owner. Enhancements in the process are needed especially around communication and transparency to all stakeholders. Ag Labour - Provide agricultural operations with the eligibility to apply for the Class 1A licensing for their employees through a grant funding program. Provide grants for employment training opportunities or programs to assist in gaining skills prior to busy times in the ag industry. Ag Labour – Incentivize employment and employee retention programs in rural areas of the country to aid in stabilizing much needed labourers. Water treatment systems; alternative water treatment technologies continue to be explored and, where feasible, applicable regulations and guidelines be updated to allow for the most efficient use of those technologies. Vaccine Development: resulting from the COVID-19, SARM would like to see vaccine development in SK and throughout the Country - SARM supports VIDO's initiatives Transportation policy and regula