Following six months of research into the causes of poor rural internet and cellular service, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) has released the final report and recommendations of its Rural Connectivity Task Force (RCTF).
“We’ve spent months meeting industry experts and researching the issue of rural connectivity,” says task force chairperson Jeremy Welter, who farms near Kerrobert. “That work has resulted in 43 recommendations that will help improve rural internet and cell service in Saskatchewan.”
The RCTF recommendations were ratified by the APAS membership at the 2021 APAS annual general meeting on March 30. The report was released to the public the following day. Recommendations are divided into seven major categories, including:
· Working Together – Supporting shared access to infrastructure and fair partnerships between service providers;
· Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen – Simplifying Canada’s regulatory structure for greater accountability, transparency, and efficiency;
· The Importance of Smaller Internet Service Providers – Supporting competition within the industry to ensure smaller players can survive, thrive, and support universal internet access;
· Optimizing Public Resources – Optimizing government funding and managing spectrum effectively;
· Regaining and Retaining Canadian Excellence – Ensuring that Canada takes a leadership role to build long-term sustainability within the telecommunications industry and infrastructure;
· Taking Control of the Saskatchewan Advantage – Leveraging Crown Corporations to ensure that Saskatchewan plays a leadership role in achieving universal connectivity and realizing the social and economic benefits that come along with it.
· Consumer Protection – Ensuring consumers are guaranteed high-quality, affordable internet service.
Read the Rural Connectivity Task Force final report and recommendations on the APAS website.
Also during the annual meeting last month, the organization elected its executive for the upcoming year, and passed a number of resolutions.
Following the meeting, the APAS board of directors re-elected Todd Lewis, APAS representative from the RM of Lajord, as president for 2021.
Lewis farms at Gray, Saskatchewan with his family, and was first elected to the position at the end of 2016. Ian Boxall of Tisdale and Bill Prybylski of Willowbrook were re-elected as vice-presidents.
APAS Representatives also elected six directors to the APAS board for a two-year term, and other districts representatives.
For District 1, Wanda Reid from the RM of Golden West and Steven Donald from the RM of Martin were elected.
Other district representatives are Lewis and Bev Pirio (RM of Laurier) in District 2; Don Connick (RM of Carmichael) and Devin Harlick (RM of Piapot) in District 3; Ian Boxall (RM of Connaught) and Bill Prybylski (RM of Garry) in District 4; Donavon Block (RM of Leroy) in District 5; and Scott Owens (RM of Eldon) and Jeremy Welter (RM of Mariposa) in District 6.
The other district representative for District 5 is to be elected in April.
Donald, Pirio, Connick, Boxall and Owens were elected to the APAS board.
Six resolutions were considered and passed during the virtual annual general meeting. Delegates approved a motion calling for the rejection of the grains code of practice.
