SASKATOON — RM of Corman Park councillors unanimously passed a motion at their Dec. 16 meeting to maintain the municipality’s membership in Saskatchewan’s only democratically-elected, producer-run and non-partisan general farm organization.
As noted in a report to council, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) is a not-for-profit grassroots organization dedicated to advocating for agricultural policies that improve the vitality of farm and ranch families across the province.
Representing Canada as a member of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, APAS works on behalf of its members to address issues such as rail transportation, carbon taxation, seed royalties and water policy.
According to accounting records, the RM of Corman Park has been a member of APAS since 2004.
In order to maintain its membership, the RM would have to pay its annual membership fee of $22,626.10 by Jan. 15, though there was a two per cent discount ($452.52).
Kenneth Rosaasen currently serves as the RM’s representative at APAS.
Division 4 Coun. David Greenwood said he had been opposed to paying the membership fee in the past, as it is quite a high fee, but having spent some time listening to farmers in his district, “I found that it is a good organization and it is helpful.”
Division 1 Coun. John Germs put forward the motion to renew their membership, adding, “I think the organization does wonders for the farming community, and good ag policy puts money in farmer’s pockets.”
