Livestock Breeders Association: new non-profit status a boon for the region

After 107 years, the Livestock Breeders Association of the District of Beauharnois (LBA) is no longer a privately run organization. During a press conference on Monday, April 16, the Board of Directors for the L.B.A. announced that along with its new status as a non-profit organization, the L.B.A. is now publicly owned and run by a Board of Directors accountable to its members and the population at large. During the early-morning press conference, attended by a number of representatives from the L.B.A. Board of Directors, the Mayor of Ormstown, Mr. Jacques Lapierre, and Huntingdon MNA and Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, Regulatory Streamlining and Regional Economic Development, Mr. Stéphane Billette, the significance of the L.B.A. to the municipality of Ormstown and the entire Valley was made abundantly clear. Along with the ever-popular Ormstown Fair, the L.B.A. holds a number of key events for the region each year. In congratulating the L.B.A., Mayor Lapierre noted the history of collaboration between the municipality of Ormstown and was quick to ensure the positive relationship would continue. For Stéphane Billette, the fairgrounds and arena owned by the L.B.A. are a source of childhood memories for himself and his family. “It is a real learning place that we have with the L.B.A. and all of its infrastructure,” he suggested, before adding that with the new status, the organization was “good for another 110 years at least.” A lengthy process The transition process to become a non-profit organization was launched in July, 2016, when the L.B.A. shareholders voted to relinquish their shares in exchange for lifelong membership in the organization in its new form. In order for the Livestock Breeders Association to preserve its name and history following such a transition, a private members bill was required to pass through the Quebec legislature. Upon reaching out to Minister Billette, the organization was introduced to Mr. Richard Merlini, the MNA for La Prairie, who prepared the private members bill. In the spring of 2017, three L.B.A. board members appeared before a parliamentary committee in Quebec as the private members bill was presented by Mr. Merlini. The bill was approved and then immediately passed in the National Assembly the same afternoon. Once the transition was official, the L.B.A. was obliged to buy back any shares from holders not wishing to remain as members within the new organization. Happily, only 5 shareholders out of a total of 204, or a mere 2.5%, opted to abandon their association with the organization. “We are incredibly proud to announce this exciting news for the community. Not only are we now a non-profit organization but we are invested in the benefiting the Valley community,” said L.B.A. President, Mr. Mark Anderson. “As we move forward as an organization we are determined to promote agriculture through education, and provide the community with a larger number of events.” A gift to the region All of the assets from the L.B.A., including Ormstown Fair, have been donated by the shareholders to the Valley communities to ensure they will continue to remain as green spaces for now and into the future. On another positive note, a unanimous vote on February 28, 2018, has allowed the L.B.A. and Expo Ormstown to return to a single entity, which will allow them to act more efficiently and harmoniously as one. Membership in the new L.B.A. is open to anyone with an interest in the type of community work achieved by the organization and can be purchased for $10. The Annual Spring Gala, on May 26, will mark the first event to be hosted by the newly merged team of the L.B.A. and EXPO Ormstown. This will be followed by the 104th edition of the Ormstown Fair, which will take place this year from June 7-10. In July, the fairgrounds will see the return of the Rock’N Rods car show, and two horse race events have been scheduled for July 1, and September 15. For more information on becoming a member, the non-profit status, or upcoming events, contact the L.B.A.-EXPO Manager at debie@expoormstown.com or by phone at 1-866-851-3976.