The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities has mixed reaction to this week’s federal budget.

SARM president Ray Orb welcomes an additional 1 billion dollars to improve rural broadband communication services.

SARM is eager to see high speed broadband in 98 percent of the country by 2026 and 100 percent by 2030.

SARM also welcomes a 1.9 billion dollar investment over 4 years in road, rail and shipping routes for trade.

There’s also support for 2.2 billion dollars for life sciences, including 59 million dollars for VIDO in Saskatoon for vaccine development.

SARM wanted exempt for farm use of natural gas and propane from the carbon tax but welcomes the rebate program.

SARM president Ray Orb says his organization is also pushing for a reward program for farmers for reducing greenhouse gases through modern practices.
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