For Immediate Release
Day one of the SARM Midterm Convention wrapped up with over 800 reeves, councillors, administrators and visitors in attendance in Saskatoon.
The morning session began with an address from President David Marit, who talked about SARM’s request for an additional $30 million in revenue sharing from the Province. This would mean that $15 million would go towards the CTP’s Primary Corridor System, $10 million to assist municipalities in dealing with road costs associated with the resource system, $4 million increase in the unconditional grants portion of Revenue Sharing, and $1 million for bridge replacement. SARM is also looking for an extension to the Federally funded Prairie Grain Roads Program (PGRP), which ends in 2006.
Following the President’s Address was the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) Panel Discussion, chaired by Jim Smalley, News Director of 620 CKRM Radio. Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel, President of the Western Canadian Wheat Grower’s Association, and Ian McCreary, a Director of the Canadian Wheat Board, offered both sides of the debate with presentations on the benefits of marketing-choice and the CWB monopoly, respectively.
“Our members had the opportunity to hear both sides of this issue, and provide questions and comments to our guest panel,” said SARM President David Marit. “We look forward to receiving further direction from our members on this very important matter, as well as other items delegates will be debating.”
The second day of convention begins at 9:00 a.m. with an update on SARM’s programs and services, followed by an address from the Honourable Harry Van Mulligen, Minister of Government Relations, at 10:15 a.m. A new SARM Director of Division 6 will be elected at a Division Meeting at noon, followed by a biofuels presentation and an anthrax presentation at 4:00 p.m. Resolutions will be dealt with throughout the day, including resolutions regarding SARM’s position on the CWB.
More information is available on the SARM website at www.sarm.ca. Resolutions to be debated can be found on the resolutions page.
For more information contact:
David Marit
President
Cell: (306) 476-7754
