Major Sask Party donor lobbies Moe on controversial Viterra-Bunge merger

Bunge has hired a prominent Saskatchewan Party donor to lobby Premier Scott Moe and his inner circle on the company's hotly debated merger with Viterra. 

According to the Saskatchewan Lobbyist Registry, Monte Solberg and his team have declared potential meetings, phone calls, and written communication with Moe and senior government members on behalf of Bunge.

Solberg registered Bunge's "merger transaction with Viterra" lobbying campaign in June 2023.

Solberg has contributed thousands of dollars to the Sask Party since 2020.

Critics said Solberg's involvement raises questions about whether government leaders are influenced by donors rather than farmers, who have voiced their strong opposition.

"This is a bad deal for Saskatchewan, especially our rural communities," said Aleana Young, NDP Shadow Minister for Jobs and the Economy.  

"Producers are going to take a big hit on their incomes now that there's less competition, with no control over where they sell their crops, or for how much. The loss of 200 head office jobs in Regina will be a gut punch."

Young and other opponents said the government ignored pleas from the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, the Grain Growers of Canada, and others who warned the merger would reduce farmers options and drive down crop prices. 

The Grain Growers of Canada said, "This decision is a direct hit to producers revenue." 

The University of Saskatchewan calculated that the deal could cost producers $770 million in lost revenues annually.

"Producers have been crystal clear about the negative impact of this merger, yet the Sask Party government sold them out to an American company," said Young.

"If the Sask Party government hasn't been listening to our farmers, I think it's fair to ask who's been in their ears – donors and lobbyists?" 

Last spring, the Sask NDP and producers urged the Sask Party to oppose the merger. 

Instead, the Saskatchewan government applauded it when the merger was approved.

With potential 25% tariffs looming from incoming President Donald Trump on February 1, farmers worry this merger is another blow to Saskatchewan's already vulnerable agricultural sector.