SARM president Ray Orb says this country needs a made in Canada solution to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He calls the federal vaccine roll-out confusing and disorganized.

Orb says Canada desperately needs vaccines to be made and distributed from within the country.

Orb made his comments at the SARM annual meeting Tuesday, being held over the internet because of Covid-19.

Orb also said rural municipalities will be taking steps to ensure rural residents are aware of vaccine clinics in their area.

Orb says efforts are underway to improve rural broadband service in Saskatchewan.

He says improved cell phone and internet service is essential for business, education and health care in rural areas.

He says SARM has signed a letter of support for ExplorNet Communications to obtain funding from the universal broadband fund.

The federal government has announced approval of 26 infrastructure projects in Saskatchewan at a cost of more than 21 million dollars.

The federal representative to the prairies, Jim Carr, made the funding announcement in a virtual format at the
Saskatchewan Rural Municipalities convention Tuesday.

Carr says recovery from the pandemic starts in rural Canada.

He says the 26 projects include recreation facilities, water projects and rural infrastructure.

Carr also answered SARM concerns about the impact of the rising carbon tax on farm costs and promised a rebate will be coming to farmers.