Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, at the end of my remarks, I will move
Second Reading of The Agricultural Societies Repeal
Act.
Mr. Speaker, the Agricultural Societies Act was first
drafted before Saskatchewan became a province.
Since then, Saskatchewan has developed a much
more advanced economy. As such, the Act no longer
reflects the current activities of Agricultural Societies
in Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural
Societies and Exhibitions, or SAASE (SA-see), has
been responsible for overseeing the operations of
agricultural societies in a director role.
For the past four years, SAASE has been reviewing
the current Act to include needed changes and
updates.
Mr. Speaker, because of major changes in the roles
of SAASE, the provincial government, and the
University Extension Division, a large number of
changes and amendments to the Agricultural
Societies Act was required.
Therefore, in 2005, SAASE proposed to its member
Agricultural Societies that the Act be repealed, and
they agreed.
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food and the
University of Saskatchewan, who are both SAASE
board members, agree the Act should be repealed.
Mr. Speaker, the Agricultural Societies Act was last
amended in 1978. At least 26 amendments or
changes are needed to bring the Act up to date.
Moreover, several provincial Acts already exist that
may provide and make loan guarantees to agricultural
organizations and associations.
In the absence of the Agricultural Societies Act,
agricultural societies can apply under the Non-profit
Corporations Act to form legal entities.
Mr. Speaker, SAASE is a provincially incorporated
non-profit association made up of elected and
appointed representatives of member Agricultural
Societies and Exhibition Associations.
The Association has its own bylaws and regulations.
SAASE also includes representatives from the federal
and provincial governments, and the University of
Saskatchewan.
If the Agricultural Societies Act is repealed, the
University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan
Agriculture and Food could still retain its membership
on the SAASE board if required.
Mr. Speaker, the decision to repeal the Agricultural
Societies Act follows extensive consultations.
These consultations to review the current Agricultural
Societies Act began four and a half years ago,
through the Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural
Societies and Exhibitions.
At the Association’s 2005 Annual General Meeting,
members generally agreed that the Act did not
accurately reflect its role.
So, SAASE proposed to its members that the
Agricultural Societies Act be repealed.
The SAASE Board of Directors represents all
provincial agricultural societies.
The repeal of the Agricultural Societies Act will also
affect four other Acts: The Auctioneers Act; The Cities
Act; The Municipalities Act; and The Credit Union Act.
Consultations with the Department of Justice have
provided recommendations and changes to these
affected Acts.
Mr. Speaker, the Repeal of the Agricultural Societies
Act would bring Agricultural Societies into the twentyfirst
century.
Therefore, I move that The Agricultural Societies
Repeal Act be read a second time.
Thank you.
