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Daryl Harrison appointed Sask. Agriculture Minister

Nov 14, 2024
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

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David Marit moves to the highways portfolio

Saskatchewan’s ag sector has a new voice in the legislature.

On Nov. 7, Premier Scott Moe appointed Daryl Harrison, the MLA for Cannington, as the new minister of agriculture.

He replaces David Marit, who served as ag minister for 2018.

Marit will remain in the provincial cabinet, moving to the highways, SaskBuilds and procurement portfolio.

Harrison isn’t a stranger to agriculture.

He has a 160-head cow-calf operation near Alida, Sask.; he is a former director with the Saskatchewan Stock Grower’s Association, and previously served as the legislative secretary for value added agriculture and livestock engagement.

Daryl Harrison - Minister of Agriculture pic.twitter.com/lagfcyn1Vy
— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) November 7, 2024

The new minister is ready to meet with people in Sask. agriculture.

“There’s always lots to learn, and there are some great stakeholder groups, great producers across the province,” he told SaskToday.

Industry groups and reps welcomed Minister Harrison to the fold and are ready to get to work.

“APAS looks forward to working in partnership with Minister Harrison to continue building farm and ranch family success. Let's shape the future of agriculture,” the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan said on X.

Minister Harrison is a “top notch guy who has a passion to further our industry and our province,” Daryl Fransoo, a Sask. farmer and chair of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, said online. “We are excited to work with him!”

Premier Moe’s full list of cabinet appointments can be found here.

On Nov. 13, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck announced the shadow cabinet that will hold the government accountable.

Beck will be the shadow minister of agriculture and rural affairs.

Trent Wotherspoon will serve as shadow minister of finance, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation and the deputy shadow minister of agriculture.

The full shadow cabinet can be found here.

Video: Canada's Agriculture Day 2025

Let's celebrate Canadian agriculture.

Well, number one, you don't eat without farmers. Farmers put food on the table. And what could be more important than that?

Well, I think it's important that Canadians understand exactly what takes place, what happens to produce this food, no matter what sector you're talking about.

An awful lot of work goes into that. It's important to understand that meat does not come out of a showcase, and milk does not come out of a bottle. It's produced by farmers and hard work.

Canada has the best farmers in the world. And agriculture is vital to Canada.

In 2024, our agriculture and agri-food sector represented $150 billion of Canada's GDP, nearly $100 billion of our exports, and one in nine jobs.

From grains to fruits to dairy and beef, we are truly blessed with an incredible bounty. Having spent my whole life in agriculture, I see so much potential for the sector.

This time last year, I was proud to open our first-ever agriculture and trade office in the Indo-Pacific, the world’s fastest-growing economy, to cement our presence in the region and grow our exports even more. We've also been making historic investments to help our farmers to boost their yields, protect the planet, and earn a fair living.

The world wants more top-quality, sustainable food, and I know our Canadian farmers can deliver. And it's so important that you do that with pride. We need you.

Quite simply, you eat the most top quality food in the world. You do that because of the quality of farmers and ranchers you have in this country.

Just say thank you to a farmer or a rancher. They work very hard, yes, for a living, but also with a sense of pride in what they produce.

That's what Canada's Agriculture Day is all about.