This page is dedicated to providing Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities (SUMA) members and the public with information on SUMA's advocacy work in the wake of the 2017-18 provincial budget. Here you will find information on the issues we are raising, links to social media platforms, and articles covering our response to the budget. Check back often, as we will update this page with new information as it becomes available.
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Important Resources from SUMA |
Amplifying Our Voice |
| In the News | What Members and Partners Are Saying |
Important Resources from SUMA
Background
Looking for details on payments in lieu? Want to know why reserves can't make up the difference? Get those details, and find out what you can do in this background document.
Key Messages
Preparing for a council meeting or preparing to go talk to your MLA? Get the key points on all the cuts affecting Saskatchewan's hometowns in easy-to-understand bullet points, including specific requests you can make.
FAQs
Have a question on the issues we are raising? This document should answer it. If we missed something, please send your question to suma@suma.org and we will work on getting an answer for you.
Template Letter to the Editor
Engage your local media with a letter you can personalize and send to nearby newspapers — even to radio and TV stations in your area. We've created two versions of the letters, allowing you to use the letter that best covers how this budget is hurting your municipality.
Template for municipalities losing payments in lieu
Template for municipalities focused on downloads and lack of meaningful consultation
Template Letter to Government MLAs/Cabinet Ministers
The templates below are intended for government (i.e., Saskatchewan Party) MLAs. You may also want to send a letter to Government Relations Minister Donna Harpauer, Premier Brad Wall, and other members of cabinet, especially if your local MLA is a member of the official opposition.
Template for municipalities losing payments in lieu
Template for municipalities focused on downloads and lack of meaningful consultation
Addresses for all MLAs
Address for Premier and cabinet ministers that attended the March 29 meeting with SUMA representatives
Policy Positions
This budget was rife with downloading. See SUMA's existing policy position for details on how the provincial government downloads to Saskatchewan hometowns.
SUMA has long said that the Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) is vital to our hometowns. See our existing policy position for more details.
The municipal revenue sharing program has been leading edge in Canada. SUMA defends it at every opportunity. Our policy position has more details.
Member Communications
March 24: Details on Cuts to Grants in Lieu in 2017-18 Provincial Budget
March 24: SUMA fighting for Outraged Members
Comparison of revenue sharing amounts to payments in lieu
March 26: Messaging on Provincial Budget Impacts for SUMA members
March 28: SUMA website Now Loaded With Details for Members
March 30: President's Update — From Budget to Board Meeting and Beyond
April 7: Have Your Say on Provincial Budget Cuts
April 13: Update on Legal Action on Payments in Lieu
May 19: End of Session Wrap Up
Amplifying Our Voice
Throughout the campaign, we encourage you to share and retweet our content, and alert us to yours by tagging or mentioning us.
SUMA social Media Platforms
Suggested Hashtags
In the News
See SUMA's media releases, and keep up with what SUMA and our members are saying in the media.
Sask. cities want to avoid budget day surprises next year
What you need to know about why cities might sue the province
Early estimated property tax increase for 2018 near seven per cent
Province moves to axe clause preventing legal challenges of Bill 64
Tank: Biggest Saskatoon property tax hike in a decade coming
Melfort looks at 4.07 percent tax increase
Letter: SUMA says Sask. Party sowing confusion about payments-in-lieu
Taylor has provincial issues on his mind at council
Editorial - Bill that prevents cities from suing Province is heavy-handed
Council passes tax, fine hikes to deal with provincial cuts
Saskatchewan towns losing $33M to province: SUMA
Province 'ripping up contracts' that provide millions to cities: SUMA
OPINION: Town reserves not for funding day-to-day expenses
Sask. cities have 'no realistic' hope of challenging a $33 million cut, legal expert says
Province 'ripping up contracts' that provide millions to cities: SUMA
SUMA creates information website following Saskatchewan Budget
OPINION: Town reserves not for funding day-to-day expenses
'Because they were going to': Government defends legislation amendment prohibiting legal action
SUMA still waiting for clarity on SaskPower, SaskEnergy grant cuts
'I think they've been misguided': SUMA defiant on government decision to cut grants worth $33M
'It's just sort of mind-blowing': NDP questions government grants-in-lieu cuts
PlayEscapes and lawn bowling saved in amended city budget, mill rate goes up 2.5% (Regina)
Municipalities decry 'lack of respect' from provincial government
Melfort re-examining Spruce Haven Plan
Regina council hikes taxes, cuts programs to fill money gap
CBC's Political Panel talks split between Sask. Party and former allies
Wall's government alienating the allies it needs most
Melfort examining cuts to Main Street, tourism promotion by chamber
Saskatoon city manager says reserves can't be used to fund deficit
Sask. premier insists cities use reserve funds to account for budget shortfalls
Potential scrapping of Regina's Playescapes program 'discouraging for families'
No easy decisions for council on amended budget, says Fougere
Meewasin Valley Authority closing river access sites, reducing staff after budget cuts
Regina, province still butting heads on funding shortfall
City council to return April 18 to consider amended budget
Municipalities still angry at province over budget funding
No need for municipal tax hikes: Premier says after budget cuts
City of Saskatoon addresses budget shortfall
Saskatoon Urban Municipalities Association pushing for more budget talks
Saskatchewan cities, towns say they're insulted by government action
Muench Highlights Budget Options in City Minute
N.B. mayor says 30% grant return not enough
Grants-in-lieu loss leading to tax increases and service cuts in Saskatchewan towns
Provincial cuts, downloading costs Saskatoon $59M, city says
Saskatchewan should take note: Libraries are sanctuaries of civil society
'Unexpected circumstance' bringing on cost reductions and mill rate increase, says Mayor Fougere
On the mess that is Saskatchewan today
Library cuts "drastic" for region
City of Regina mulls 6.49% tax hike after provincial budget cuts
City proposes additional 2.5% tax hike, $4.1M in cuts
Additional 1.69 per cent property tax increase proposed
Protesters Drop Everything and Read at MLA office rallies
Saskatoon Public Library, facing $800K deficit, prepares to make 'substantial' cuts
Grants-in-lieu: How does it all work?
Grants-in-lieu loss leading to tax increases and service cuts in Saskatchewan towns
Sask. libraries still reeling from budget cuts
City of Saskatoon still mulling over how to tackle $9M funding shortfall
Library-to-library loans shut down after provincial cuts
Libraries in Sask. forced to stop inter-library transfers due to budget cuts
Laid-off library workers speak out about budget cuts
City would need 4.45 per cent tax hike to make up shortfall: Totland
Don't shut down library-to-library loans, urges minister despite funding cuts
Cooper: Credit where credit is due
Government alters course on grants-in-lieu
Province caps grants-in-lieu reductions
New poll shows Wall's popularity falls as taxes and cuts rise
Advocates continue fight despite minister's suggestion libraries on the decline
Payments in lieu issue explodes at legislature
Province caps reduction to grants-in-lieu funding
Province reduces cuts to municipal grants after backlash
Sask. government walks back cuts to grants-in-lieu for some municipalities
The Queen City Improvement Bureau podcast
Province has 'high level' talk with cities about changes to revenue sharing
Mayors upset with mass funding cuts in Wall budget
Provincial budget tough for Humboldt
Humboldt Management Digs into Budget Effects
Government of Saskatchewan release: Province Caps Grants-In-Lieu Reduction
Mayors meet with ministers over grants-in-lieu funding
Meeting between Sask. ministers, mayors starts 'positive' conversation
Council 'blindsided' by provincial budget
Budget clawback takes a chunk out of urban municipalities’ finances: SUMA
Budget was bad news for Estevan
North Battleford considers legal action against Saskatchewan government
Revenue sharing should 'be reflective' of provincial revenue: Premier Brad Wall
Wall hints at revenue sharing changes as budget defence continues
Paulsen: 11.4 million reasons to sing the blues
Grants-in-lieu tax grab an insult to Regina, Saskatoon
Provincial cuts equivalent of 15% tax increase for city
Moose Jaw, Sask. reeling from provincial budget
Council outraged at provincial budget; $2 million in cuts for city
Calls to reverse grants in lieu decision increase
Moose Jaw Council Isn't Sure How to Respond to Provincial Cuts
SUMA calls decision to end payments in lieu "outrageous" and "short-sighted"
SUMA says cities being forced to do the province's 'dirty work'
SUMA calls on Saskatchewan government to reverse payments in lieu decision
Municipalities urge province to stop budget cuts; claim dire finances
Saskatoon may not be alone in taking province to court over lost grant-in-lieu revenue
City of Regina struggles to fill the hole the province blew in its budget
North Battleford hit hard by loss of grants in lieu
Yorkton facing 'unprecedented hit' after Sask. budget scraps grants program
Budget back-and-forth plays out between Sask. Party, SUMA
Loss of grant-in-lieu funding leaves Sask. municipalities short
Regina Council to revisit city budget on April 10
Reserve dipping a last resort as council deals with grants-in-lieu shortfall
Tax hikes or service cuts looming for Saskatoon after provincial budget
Grant cuts could deal $10M blow to Regina, says mayor
Some cities losing half of provincial funding, says Sask. Urban Municipalities Association
What are grants-in-lieu and why are they important?
Saskatoon's budget battle with province heads to court
Media Releases
May 12 (SUMA): SUMA renews Call for Meaningful Consultation as Bill 64 Becomes Law
April 24 (SUMA): Province’s Bill 64 Strips Hometowns of Revenues and Rights
Livestream of media conference
April 10 (SUMA): SUMA calls for Meaningful Consultation as Hometowns Reopen Budgets
Livestream of media conference
March 28 (SUMA): Provincial Government Punishing Hometowns
Livestream of media conference
March 22 (SUMA): SUMA relieved "Solemn Promise" of Revenue Sharing Kept, Disappointed by Continued Downloading
What Members and Partners Are Saying
Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism (SSM): Concerns and questions from the SSM board
Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism: Questions you might want to ask about issues of key importance to seniors
April 12 (City of Humboldt): We're forced to manage the impacts imposed on us by #skbudget, see how we're doing so
April 10 (City of Saskatoon): Mayor & Councillors Approve Balanced Plan to Fill Provincial Budget Shortfall
April 7 (City of Regina): Proposed Amended Budget
April 5 (City of Saskatoon): Provincial Budget Funding Impact
April 3 (Town of Kindersley): Town Determining Impact of Provincial Budget 2017
March 31 (Mayor Charlie Clark's Office): Provincial Cap to Grants-In-Lieu does not help Saskatoon or 99 other cities, towns and villages.
City of Yorkton: Impact of the Loss of SaskPower and SaskEnergy Payments to Urban Municipalities
March 28 (City of Regina): Council calls on province to reverse funding cuts
March 27 (City of Yorkton): Provincial Budget Has Huge Implications for Yorkton
March 26 (City of Saskatoon): City Council Seeking Legal Measures Among Other Options to Address Provincial Gov’t Refusal to Pay Grants in Lieu of Property Taxes
March 24 (City of Saskatoon): Provincial government cuts push financial burden onto City residents & taxpayers: Choices facing City Council are to raise property taxes or cut City services
March 23 (City of Humboldt): City Significantly Impacted by 2017 Provincial Budget
