Report from the Legislature – January 20, 2022

Saskatchewan is blessed to have the natural resources to provide the world with the food, fuel, and fertilizer the world needs. We begin the year with tremendous optimism as a multi-billion dollar investment was announced that will bring economic growth for years to come.

Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) has announced they are working on an Integrated Agriculture Complex with AGT Foods for the City of Regina. The partnership between FCL and AGT Foods will ensure Saskatchewan exceeds our 2030 Growth Plan goal of processing 75 per cent of the canola grown inside our borders. Using 1.1 million tonnes of homegrown canola each year, the crushing facility will produce 450,000 tonnes of oil. That same oil will be used to produce renewable diesel at the plant on the same property. This new facility will feature a $2 billion renewable diesel facility and a canola crushing plant.

The development of this integrated facility will create $4.5 billion in direct and indirect economic benefits. The investment will also mean an estimated 2,500 construction jobs and 150 high-paying operational positions when complete. Creating jobs and investing in new value-added ventures will be key to rebounding quickly from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Investments are also being made in the livestock and forage sector as a result of partnerships with the federal government. This year, 28 projects will receive over $5 million in support through the province’s Agriculture Development Fund. The research and innovations that will come from this funding will ensure Saskatchewan continues to set the standard for new ideas and approaches to agriculture. Research projects for this year will include the potential for native and tame forage species to enhance carbon sequestration, expanded reproduction diagnostics and improved animal health.

A federal-provincial partnership designed to help farmers and ranchers better prepare for drought has been extended. Due to hardships that many producers faced in 2021, many projects that should have qualified for the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program, were not completed.

Already dealing with the drought and the troubles that a lack of moisture caused, producers found it difficult to source the supplies, materials, and contractors needed to complete projects. Changes made will allow livestock producers, who plan to claim over $50,000 in rebates, to submit their preliminary application by the end of March 2022 to complete their projects and then submit for a rebate by the end of September.

This past year has been a brutal reminder of how precious water resources are. Having a good, reliable source can be make-or-break for producers in Saskatchewan. The Agriculture Development Fund will assist with important planning for the future. Extending the deadline will give producers more time to complete projects such as dugouts, wells or pipelines to ensure a better water supply.

Outdoors enthusiasts will start planning for summer excursions this April as Provincial Parks begin accepting reservations for the 2022 season. Coming off a record-setting year in 2021 that saw over a million visitors, parks are preparing for another busy season.

Reservations for all parks participating in the seasonal site program will start on April 18th, 2022. Reservations for nightly camping will open in batches featuring four or five parks from across the province each day. That process will begin April 19th for Saskatchewan Landing, Good Spirit Lake, Candle Lake and Meadow Lake, with more locations to follow.

In preparation for the new season, Sask Parks has created some new system features to assist with the booking process. Campers will be able to compare campsites, create a list of their favourite sites, be added to a waitlist for more popular campgrounds, purchase entry passes, as well as explore the various programs or events held at each campground. Additionally, historic parks will no longer charge individual programming admission, instead only a park entry permit will be needed. For more information, please visit saskparks.com.