William Cooper - 2017 Canola Influencer Award Recipient

For the 25th anniversary of SaskCanola, we created an award to honor outstanding individuals who have been instrumental in the success of the Saskatchewan canola industry over the years. The recipients of this award have made distinguished and exceptional contributions of knowledge, education and ongoing efforts to promote canola.

Congratulations to William Cooper, 2017 recipient of the Canola Influencer Award!

William (Bill) was very proactive in the early years of canola production and processing in the province through his participation as a Director on the Board of the Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association (SCGA) and then as Executive Director of the SCGA from 1978 to 1987. Many growers in Saskatchewan worked to keep canola on the open market and Bill was a supporter of this system. He is also knowledgeable about Canada’s grain transportation system and used his knowledge to further discussions about moving canola to market efficiently and economically. Bill’s engagement with the canola industry has been long term. He has consistently provided leadership and guidance during a time when canola was a fledgling crop that required an advocate and a champion. A farmer himself, from Foam Lake, he has worked to improve the business of farming in Saskatchewan and that impact has been felt across western Canada.