GET BREAKING NEWS AND PAGE REPLICAS ONLINE FREE www.ccgazette.ca
Opinion
24/7 at: www.ccgazette.ca
twitter.com/ccgazette
CLARK’S CROSSING GAZETTE • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012 • PG. 8
Agriculture back in its rightful place improvements in agricultural training – perhaps, the return of agriculture technical vocation training – to appropriately acknowledge the specialist nature of farming. In doing so, Wall is attempting to better establish agriculture as a true profession for not only just the producer, but also for hired farm operators who are not recognized in the way other heavy equipment operators are recognized. The paper is also chockfull of commitments to increased dollars on crop research and bio-tech, increased livestock production, the previously announced establishment of a Global Food Institution at the University of Saskatchewan, value-added processing and improved agriculture programs that are less ad hoc. (Wall proudly announced a 77 per cent take-up of this year’s crop insurance program.) But perhaps the most intriguing and boldest initiative in the entire paper is the goal of increasing agriculture production. The paper calls for a crop production increase of 10 million tonnes by 2020 and increase in agriculture and food exports to $15 bil-
While talking about his Saskatchewan Plan for Growth vision statement last week, Premier Brad Wall offered a reminder that we in this province best not forget: Agriculture cannot be forgotten. Oil has redefined the province’s economy in the past decade and now accounts for $10 billion in annual economic activity. Similarly, booming potash now accounts for $6.2 billion, annually. However, Wall emphasizes that agriculture in Saskatchewan accounts for a remarkable $8.4 billion in economic activity – sandwiched between the two nonrenewable resources. Yet our infatuation with oil and potash in recent times has left agriculture as the forgotten middle child. And Wall thinks that everyone – including himself – has been a little guilty of this neglect. But one of the neat things about Wall’s 66-page economic paper released last week is how much space was dedicated to rectifying this by re-establishing agriculture as one of the drivers of the Saskatchewan economy. The paper call for some
MURRAY MANDRYK
Provincial Politics
lion by 2020. Obviously, these goals are both lofty and risky. Anyone with a passing familiarity with commodity price fluctuation or agriculture’s dependency on unpredictable weather may wonder if they are all that wise. But some interesting numbers suggest these goals could be realistic. Take the most recent six-year period of 2006 to 2011 and consider how much higher yields compared with the previous six years of 2000 to 2005: canola, 32 per cent; peas, 12 per cent; oats, 27 per cent; barley, 15 per cent; and wheat, 20 per cent. Again, crop production can vary wildly year to year– depending on multipleyear weather patterns and how much farmers grow and fertilizer that can often depend on the prices. However, if one looks at the crop yield numbers from 1992 to 2011 – a healthy 20year span affording us more of a longer term view – one
sees an average crop production increase of 2.5 per cent annually. To meet Wall’s target, farmers will actually have to increase production by 3.7 per cent a year – about the average annual production increase for every crop in the past five years except oats and canola. It’s also worth noting, however, that Wall’s Sask. Party government announced in the March budget $10 million for additional wheat research – part of a record $20.4 million for crop research. The government has doubled the commitment to research since 2007 and Wall feels this investment will pay dividends in higher yielding crops. Finally, let us keep in perspective that these are just goals. The consequences of not meeting them are hardly dire. Nevertheless, in an economic paper mostly criticized for not have bold enough goals, Wall certainly has some rather bold ones for agriculture. And, after years of government neglect when it comes to the importance of agriculture, it’s nice to see agriculture retake its rightful place in Saskatchewan.
Have a news story or breaking news tip? Phone: 668-0575 (Mon-Fri, business hours) Email: tjenson@ccgazette.ca Text Message: (306) 291-0104
Reader Opinions Floral dance aims to raise funds for community centre The Floral Community Centre is the focal point for people living in the Floral area. The building and grounds were, at one time, a school for the area, and it still holds all the charm that it did when it was first built. It is entirely maintained by volunteers, and is used year round. Every fall, we have our annual Floral Moon Social and Dance where everyone is invited. This year the event is scheduled for Friday, November 2 at the Floral Community Centre. Tickets can be purchased by calling Mark at 374-8886 or Perry at 373-6561. There is a DJ, cash bar, midnight lunch, a 50-50 draw and various door prize draws. The dance is aimed at raising money to help maintain the hall. Right now our current project is to install new shingles on the roof of the building. Come and have a good time for a worthy cause. Perry Ulrich Floral Community Association
Gazette
Former rural municipality Reeve needs to be replaced has ordered her reinstatement Our current reeve, Mel Henadministrator was not unjustly fired ry, who and back pay for her 14 months is running for re-elec As a former councillor for Division 6 in the RM of Corman Park, I feel I must express my point of view. I was on council when some discussions were had to move the RM in a new direction. In fact, my decision to run for council was based on the indecisiveness of the Planning Department in regards to my development, Parkside Estates. Once on council, it became apparent to me that council as a whole were not fully aware of the actual operations of the Planning and Administration departments. Planning and Administration were making many decisions, that should have been brought to council, without council’s knowledge. Until my appearance as a councillor the rest of the councillors had little idea what I, or anyone else, was put through in regards to planning procedures. That is why now, I must say the dismissal of the Administrator was discussed among some councillors at the same time as the dismissal of the head of Planning (this was long before the www.ccgazette.ca
CLARK S CROSSING
Published Thursdays by Jenson
HOW TO CONTACT US
Tel: 306.668.0575 Fax: 306.668.3997 editor@ccgazette.ca
GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS
430D Central Street P.O. Box 1419, Warman, SK S0K 4S0
AUDITED CIRCULATION: 14,848
P ublishing
harassment charges were filed). I felt, at the time, to let both heads go at the same time would be too disruptive for council and other staff. Some councillors agreed and that is why the Planning Department was the first to be changed. Now, to say that the Administrator was unjustly fired because of the harassment charge is just not right. Her time remaining as Administrator was up, long before these charges occurred. As stated, “Ms. Knutilla was terminated because she brought forward her complaint of harassment to her employer for investigation and resolution”. In my opinion – and the reason I voted to terminate her – had nothing to do with harassment charges. Her time was up, a new direction was needed. I do hope council will do the right thing and appeal this ruling and save the taxpayers a payout on an unjustified ruling. Bill Dyck Former Councillor RM of Corman Park
tion, has stated publicly that his priority is to bring about the demise of Corman Park and the creation of a new municipality west and north of the South Saskatchewan River. He feels he has no conflict of interest in this matter. I can only equate this argument to a Quebec separatist running to be the Prime Minister of Canada whose main objective is the dismantling of Canada, with all its financial and political ramifications. This is the same Reeve that has had numerous complaints of harassment lodged by various Corman Park employees, which has resulted in a high turnover of staff at the municipal office and a high number of legal bills. This is the same Reeve who instigated the removal of the head administrator, alleging incompetence and insubordination, after she dared to file a formal complaint of harassment against him. The Ministry of Labour Relations now has ruled there was no basis for her dismissal and
TERRY JENSON - Publisher tjenson@ccgazette.ca ANGELA HEIDEL - Chief Financial Officer aheidel@ccgazette.ca TERRY PUGH - Reporter/Photographer tpugh@ccgazette.ca
JOANNE URLACHER - Production/Typesetting ads@ccgazette.ca ANGIE WHITEHEAD - Production/Typesetting ads@ccgazette.ca
away from her job. Other employees will probably follow suit. As a result of Mel Henry’s actions, and those councillors that supported him, the municipality of Corman Park could be looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal costs and settlements. This is the same Reeve who cancelled the independent panel looking at the inequity in electoral divisions where one division had one-tenth of the population of another division and who actively worked against those wanting electoral reform for a more equitable election process. And this is the same Reeve, who once losing that battle, set out on a campaign to dismantle Corman Park while still being the Reeve. Hopefully the voters of Corman Park will get out and vote on October 24 to give Mel Henry exactly what he deserves: the opportunity to look for a new job. Dr. Bob Russell Riverside Estates RM of Corman Park
HAVE AN OPINION? EXPRESS IT HERE
The Clark’s Crossing Gazette welcomes Letters to the Editor regarding topics of interest to our readers. The Gazette reserves the right to edit letters for brevity and clarity. Letters must be accompanied by the author’s name, signature and daytime telephone number for verification purposes (name and daytime telephone number in the case of emailed letters). Letters must be tastefully written and meet the Gazette’s legal standards in order to qualify for publishing. Letters must be signed and include contact information for authenticity purposes. The Gazette does not necessarily support or oppose the opinions, expressed or implied, in this newspaper. The Clark’s Crossing Gazette is independently owned and operated. Any reproduction for non-personal purposes, in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of the Publisher is strictly prohibited. The Gazette is distributed free of charge to residents in the area. Subscriptions outside the market area within Canada are available at a rate of $90.00+GST/yr.
VOL. 5 NO. 15