Saskatchewan Bulletin
Should SaskCanola and SaskFlax Amalgamate?
Farmers are invited to provide feedback to both Commissions through online survey.
The Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SaskCanola) and Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission (SaskFlax) are considering amalgamation, which would see SaskCanola assume the mandate of SaskFlax for flax seed and straw, including research, advocacy, market development investments, and accompanying communications.
As of January 2023, SaskCanola has been providing operational support to the SaskFlax Board. Resolutions were passed at both Commissions’ Annual General Meetings (AGMs) calling for the two organizations to explore options for potential amalgamation.
The next step towards full amalgamation of the two Commissions is to gather feedback from canola and flax growers. All Saskatchewan canola and flax growers were sent a notice in the mail the first week of July encouraging them to participate in an online consultation survey at saskcanola.com; which will remain open to gather input until November 17, 2023.
A consultation document providing background, rationale and process surrounding the potential amalgamation of SaskCanola and SaskFlax has been prepared for producers to review in conjunction with providing their feedback through the online survey.
Survey results will be shared and official voting on the proposed amalgamation will take place during both Commissions’ AGMs in January 2024 (visit SaskCrops.com for registration info).
Both Commissions are producer-led organizations and have similar mandates directed by the Agri-Food Act. SaskCanola is supported by 17,000 levy-paying Saskatchewan canola producers. SaskFlax is supported by 3,000 levy-paying Saskatchewan flax producers.
“Both of our respective Boards have discussed our potential amalgamation and what the future could look like in terms of synergies,” said Keith Fournier, SaskCanola Chair, “but now we want to know whether growers support this prospect and what concerns they have so that we can properly address them.”
— Keith Fournier, SaskCanola Chair
Apply to Attend our Upcoming Workshop: Learn to Lead
November 22-24, 2023 – Saskatoon
Have you considered joining a Board? Want to build your leadership capacity?
Learn to Lead, hosted by SaskCanola and sponsored by supporting commissions in Saskatchewan, is a personal and professional development program that aims to build leadership capacity among farmers and create future leaders for the agriculture industry.
Curriculum: A broad range of sessions provide participants with a strong foundational base for building leadership skills. Topics covered in the program include governance, decision-making, media relations, communication and leadership style.
How to Apply: Learn to Lead is open to all interested Saskatchewan registered producers (levy payers) from all crop commodities who are actively contributing to their farm livelihood directly or indirectly in supporting roles. Interested participants are invited to apply by September 22, 2023. Applicants who are selected receive complimentary registration valued at $2,500.
Click here to download the application form.