News

SUMA’s advocacy is backed by research and data—things we hold in high regard when advocating on behalf of member municipalities. We’re pleased to announce that SUMA is partnering with the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU). This partnership will facilitate a Mitacs-funded post-doctoral position that fosters…

Whether you live in a city, town, village, resort village, or northern municipality, chances are you’ve noticed a greater need for mental health, addictions and housing resources and services in your community. Unfortunately, the current level of funding available does not match the province-wide need. SUMA is calling on the next provincial government to take greater responsibility for…

As the order of government closest to the people, municipalities understand the changes required for their communities to remain safe and functional. This election, SUMA is advocating for a strong, interconnected, and well-resourced system of municipal bylaws and provincial legislation—essential components for urban municipalities to continue serving as the best places to live, work, and…

Leaders representing the municipal associations from Western Canada's three prairie provinces met virtually Friday to discuss common issues. The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) hosted the annual meeting, which brings together elected officials and staff from SUMA, SARM, the Association of Manitoba…

With the responsibility for over 60 per cent of public infrastructure, and few revenue streams, urban municipalities find it more difficult each year to run balanced budgets and provide their residents with the resources they need. Municipalities have been feeling this monetary pinch for some time, whether it’s through PST on construction, or dated property assessment procedures unsupportive…

SUMA’s “We are URBAN.” campaign celebrates all of our member communities—from the smallest villages to the largest cities—and highlights all the ways that they serve their residents and surrounding areas. Through billboards across Saskatchewan, and posts on social media, the initiative spotlights the facilities, services, landmarks, and features that make our cities,…

Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) and the Assemblée Communautaire Fransaskoise (ACF) are pleased to announce a new partnership, which will help engage SUMA members across the province and lend support when they seek Government Francophone-related funding.   Read the full release below. 

From April 14-17, over 1000 representatives from Saskatchewan’s cities, towns, villages, resort villages, and northern municipalities will come together for the 2024 SUMA Convention and Tradeshow at the REAL District in Regina. Through Convention 2024, delegates will reconnect with colleagues, focus on new ideas, network with SUMA and provincial decision makers, and reflect on municipal…

From now until June 7, 2024, the Target Sector Support (TSS) Initiative is accepting grant applications for municipal projects that focus on partnerships, planning, and collaboration.  The TSS Initiative provides cost-shared grants, up to 75 per cent on eligible costs, to municipalities partnering to strengthen their core municipal responsibilities.  TSS was established following a…

Provincial investments into Saskatchewan’s hometowns help improve the quality of life for residents. With the 2024-25 budget, SUMA recognizes the province’s efforts to improve lives across Saskatchewan by maintaining key operating funding and increasing investments in key healthcare infrastructure. We are, however, disappointed in the decrease to transportation infrastructure for our…

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) has substantial concerns with changes proposed to the Canada Community Building Fund by the Government of Canada. These changes would see additional criteria related to affordable housing development imposed on the municipal sector. “Our cities, towns, villages, resort villages, and northern municipalities recognize the need for more…

Launched this Wednesday, January 24, 2024 in Cotonou, this three-day training course is part of the Municipal Partnerships for Innovation-Women in Local Politics (PMI-FPL) project. The project is implemented by ANCB in collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and financed by Global Affairs Canada. The session is led by executives from the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities…

The City Mayors’ Caucus and Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) acknowledge the recent strides the province has taken in adopting a new action plan for mental health and addictions, which includes a homelessness strategy and other additional investments in mental health and addictions. Among other items, we are pleased with the 500 new addiction treatment spaces over the…

SUMA is pleased with the Government of Saskatchewan’s focus on homelessness, mental health, and addictions in yesterday’s Throne Speech. Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) has advocated government for more action on the mental health and addictions crisis, going so far as to declare this crisis a cornerstone in our advocacy. We have also continually advocated for more…

The SUMA City Mayors Caucus recently met in the City of Melville to discuss the shared issues affecting the cities and residents of our province. Some of the most critical issues continue to be homelessness, and the negative effects of homelessness on the homeless themselves and on the neighbourhoods, businesses, and individual residents of our province. “The Saskatchewan Income Support…