Alberta Bulletin

Alberta Canola announces new leadership

The 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission was held online on January 25, 2022. Following the Annual General Meeting, the Board elected Roger Chevraux of Killam as the new Chair, and Ian Chitwood of Airdrie as the new Vice-Chair.

Alberta Canola is pleased to welcome a new Director to the Board. Charles Simoneau from Guy, Alberta was elected to represent Alberta Canola’s region 3.

The Board of Alberta Canola would like to thank outgoing directors, Kevin Serfas – Region 9, Denis Guindon – Region 3 and Holly White – Region 12, for all the hard work they have done on behalf of Alberta’s canola farmers.

“I would like to thank Kevin, Holly and Denis for the time and effort they put into Alberta Canola. Representing canola growers and bringing the different needs and conditions of canola growers to the Board table allowed us to make far better decisions,” said Roger Chevraux. “The Board is truly grateful for their input and advice.”

For more information on how to become a director, information on the board, the committees that guide the board, and Alberta Canola’s regions, visit albertacanola.com.

2022 Board of Directors
Region 1: Dan Doll, Fairview
Region 2: Andre Harpe, Valhalla Centre
Region 3: Charles Simoneau, Guy
Region 4: John Mayko, Mundare
Region 5: Justin Nanninga, Neerlandia
Region 6: Wayne Schneider, Nisku
Region 7: Mike Ammeter, Sylvan Lake
Region 8: Ian Chitwood, Airdrie
Region 9: Vacant
Region 10: Cale Staden, Vermilion
Region 11: Roger Chevraux, Killam
Region 12: Vacant

Thank You Outgoing Directors

Kevin Serfas

Holly White

Denis Guidon

Alberta Canola – working for all canola growers in Alberta

Alberta Canola focuses on four key areas:

• Government and Industry Affairs
• Research
• Grower Relations and Extension
• Public Engagement and Promotion

Our activities in these areas are guided by our elected farmer directors and driven by our mission statement: to improve the long-term profitability of Alberta’s canola producers. For complete details, check out our Annual Report and our ‘Year in Review’ video (featuring the farmer directors) on our website at albertacanola.com/annualreport.

Tax Credit for the 2021 Tax Year Available to Canola Farmers in Alberta

Canola growers in Alberta that do not request a refund of their check off from the Alberta Canola Producers Commission qualify for a tax credit for the 2021 tax year.

The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit allows canola growers to claim the tax credit for that portion of the check off paid that was used to fund qualifying research.

“The tax credit is an additional benefit for growers who contribute check-off on canola”, says John Mayko a farmer from Mundare, Alberta and the Chair of Alberta Canola’s research committee. “Farmers are funding research looking for ways to better grow canola. The SR&ED tax credit allows farmers to capture some of that investment back at tax time.”

The tax credit rate for canola producers in Alberta for 2021 is 14.59 percent.

For example, for an individual grower that paid $1000.00 in check off to Alberta Canola in 2021, $145.90 is eligible to earn the tax credit.

THE TAX CREDIT CAN:

• offset federal taxes owing in
  the current year,
• be received as a tax refund,
• be carried forward up to 10 years to offset federal taxes owing, or
• be carried back 3 years to reduce federal taxes paid in those years.
• Individual producers must file a T2038 (IND). Farm corporations must file form T2SCH31.

Historical SR&ED percentages for Alberta Canola and links to more information from the Canada Revenue Agency can be found at albertacanola.com/SRED.

New revamped STEM-based
“It All Begins With The Seed”
activity book now available

Looking for a fun and unique way to start engaging and educating younger students in STEM-based interactive canola-related activities?!? Check out the new revamped It All Begins With The Seed activity book.

Kids will have the chance to play new games, engage in some whacky science experiments, and try out some messy canola-related arts and crafts. Chase and Amelia will share some of their favorite recipes with students to allow them to try out these recipes in their homes or in the classroom with adult supervision. Students will learn all sorts of fun-filled facts about canola and canola production and how it relates to health and science. This resource is aligned with the Alberta curriculum and has been teacher peer-reviewed. It is ready to use in any kindergarten to grade 3 classroom as needed!

Two versions of the book are available, as there are different games for grade 3 in each book. You can download the book as a PDF, view the book online, or order a copy to use in your home or in your classroom. We hope students will check out this great resource that will help kids expand their CANowledge! Visit learncanola.com/resources to get your copy.