Michele Legault
Director, Finance Canada (FIN)·7 communications in the past year
Lobbied by
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities
3Business 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. 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 on consultations to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada and amendments to SARA. Rural Health
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. 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 Infrastructure – the need for funding to develop and enhance water storage, conservation and distribution infrastructure for potable and non-potable water. 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 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 needs to be reviewed. Species at Risk Act (SARA) - providing input on consultations to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada and amendments to SARA. Rural Healthcare- funding for increase recruitment and retention of healthcare workers in remote and rural areas of Saskatchewan Rural Crime: ensuring rural Saskatchewan is represented in discussions on public safety. Volunteer Emergency Responders Funding - Volunteer emergenc
Fertilizer Canada
1Engaging with the federal government to support farmer-led initiatives that improve sustainability and fertilizer use efficiency across Canadian agriculture. This includes advancing voluntary, science-based programs such as 4R Nutrient Stewardship (Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place) and working with government to improve data, support practical policy approaches, and ensure environmental goals are science-based and do not compromise agricultural productivity. Providing input on the development and implementation of climate and environmental policies related to fertilizer production, including industrial decarbonization frameworks such as the Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS), Emissions-Intensive Trade-Exposed (EITE) assessments, and related provincial programs. Advocating for policies and programs that support the development, production, and manufacturing of key fertilizer productsincluding nitrogen, potash, phosphate, and sulphurin Canada to enhance domestic production and ensure national food and economic security. Engagement with the federal government on issues affecting the international trade of fertilizer products, including policies related to market access, global competitiveness, and the secure and stable supply of fertilizer imports and exports critical to agricultural production. Engaging the federal government on the cumulative impact of fiscal and regulatory measures on the fertilizer industry in Canada. This includes climate and environmental compliance frameworks, investment tax credits, permitting timelines, and other policies affecting industry competitiveness. Providing input to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on the regulatory oversight of fertilizer products, including policies related to product approvals, labelling requirements, and the transportation, storage, and sale of fertilizer. Engaging the federal government on policy, regulatory, and infrastructure initiatives related to the reliable and efficient movement of essential crop input products throughout Canada and to international markets. This includes discussions on supply chain resiliency, transportation corridors, and trade-enabling infrastructure necessary to support domestic agriculture and international food systems. Regulations regarding the transportation of dangerous goods and designated fertilizer products. Input on water policy as it relates to the impact and management of fertilizer products. Explosives Regulations regarding safety and security in handling of explosive precursors to reduce the risk of criminal acts. Engaging the government on its initiative to reduce fertilizer emissions by 30% from 2020 levels. Changes to the Fertilizers Act and regulations regarding the use, registration, or safety of fertilizer products
Loblaw Companies
1Discussions on complementing corporate investment with government investment and initiatives. Discussion of labour policies and regulations within the retail industry Potential regulatory or legislative changes relative to data and privacy. Potential policy changes to healthy foods and nutrition initiatives under Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Initiatives related to sustainable seafood programs and practices under the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the impact on Canadian fisheries and oceans. Initiatives related to environmental policies and programs under Environment and Climate Change Canada which may have an impact on the retail grocery industry. Initiatives impacting food safety and food labeling through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and/or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Discussions regarding international trade agreements and their impact on the retail, food and pharmacy sector. Discussion of drug policies, eHealth and primary health care policies.
Nutrien
1Monitoring for any changes to the output-based pricing system and its provincial equivalency, and any related programs that advance or impede emissions-reducing technologies. Input regarding policies that enhance or impede the competitiveness of Canada's agriculture and fertilizer industries. Ensuring the ongoing reliability of the transportation supply chain. Advancing economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture practices including nutrient management protocols.
Terra International (Canada)
1Engaging with government regarding support opportunities for emission reduction technologies and economic development and growth through the Strategic Response Fund. Labour dispute impacts on fertilizer supply chains Input on rail transportation policy to support resilient domestic supply chains Input on policies to support competitive and reliable Canadian fertilizer manufacturing, agriculture and food security. Input on policies to support clean hydrogen and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) investments including planned investment tax credits. Input on design and implementation of national Clean Fuel Standard regulations Development and implementation of climate policy including Canada's Healthy Environment, Healthy Economy plan, the Greenhouse Gas Pollutions Pricing Act and Output Based Pricing System
West Coast Reduction
1Seeking funding from the Government of BC and from the Federal Government for Project AgriGuard, a major capital infrastructure project in British Columbia. Project AgriGuard is a new, state-of-the-art food byproduct rendering facility in Metro Vancouver designed to safeguard the long-term sustainability of food production in Western Canada.