News

The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed May 8–14 Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness week, and SUMA is pleased to see this emphasis on the need for diligence on this issue. Last month, SUMA sent a joint letter to Environment Minister, Herb Cox, alongside our sister associations, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) and the Provincial Association of Resort…

The first full week of May each year is Emergency Preparedness Week, coordinated by Public Safety Canada. The theme for May1–7, 2016 is Plan. Prepare. Be Aware. There are plenty of resources available from Public Safety Canada to help you and your community make the most of this week. The toolkit is a great place to start, with tips and ideas to promote Emergency…

SUMA met with officials from the Ministry of Government Relations last week for an update on federal infrastructure programs. This meeting followed the receipt of a letter from the federal minister of infrastructure, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, to the Ministers of Government Relations, and Highways and Infrastructure outlining details on the Government of Canada’s infrastructure programs.…

During the 2016 provincial election, the SUMA (SUMA) is calling on all political parties to commit to a permanent municipal revenue sharing agreement, and a Made-in-Saskatchewan infrastructure program that is permanent, long-term, sustainable, and predictable. You can read more about our call in the media release.

Last week, the federal and provincial governments announced funding for 11 infrastructure projects under the New Building Canada Pan's Small Communities Fund. Two of the projects cover drinking water, while the other nine or for wastewater. All 11 projects are taking place in municipalities with a population below 2,000. Details on the announcement and which projects are being funded are…

The Government of Saskatchewan announced yesterday that the revenue sharing program for 2016-17 will continue as one point of the PST (collected two years ago), with a total pool of more than $271 million. This is a roughly two per cent increase over last year's revenue sharing amount. Funding will be allocated from the total pool to the sectors as follows: Cities: 47.945 per…

Thanks to all our Convention 2016 delegates for a busy four days. Now is delegates' chance to tell us what they thought of SUMA's 111th Annual Convention. Fill out the short survey for your chance to win two nights at the Hilton Garden Inn in Saskatoon!

Yesterday, the Government of Canada announced the launch of a national inquiry on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. SUMA joined our voice to the many calling for an inquiry earlier this year — first through a resolution at Convention 2015, then as part of the quality of life theme of our federal election advocacy. We appreciate the Government of Canada's…

The Ministry of Government Relations issues three information bulletins last week on the conflict of interest amendments and how they pertain to each of the three municipal acts. They were emailed to all municipalities, but are also available for reference here: Informational bulletin: The Cities Act Informational bulletin: The Northern Municipalities Act Informational bulletin: The…

As of January 1, 2016 milk containers will be obligated to be a part of municipal recycling programs in Saskatchewan. Starting January 1, 2016 SARCAN will begin a six-month phase-out of their milk recycling program. Milk container recycling will be covered by the Multi-Material Recycling Program (MMRP) operated by the Multi-Material Stewardship Western (MMSW). If you have not already done so, and…

The SUMA (SUMA) applauds the federal government for today’s announcement on the reinstatement of the mandatory long-form census. This was a major point in SUMA’s advocacy work during the federal election campaign. For more details on SUMA's reaction to this announcement, read the full media release.

One of the new Liberal government's first acts will be to restore the mandatory long-form census, says the Toronto Star. SUMA is watching this file closely after the federal election, and is hopeful that Saskatchewan municipalities will once again have access to the valuable data provided by the long-form census. (See our municipal issues backgrounder in the 2015 Federal Election Advocacy…

Late Monday, Canada Post announced it is re-evaluating its path forward, given the challenges in the postal system. More details are available in this story from CBC.

Since Monday's federal election, there has been several places to see the municipal reaction to the results of election day. Thank you to SUMA members from President Button Sask. cities eager for Liberals' infrastructure plan Atchison welcomes Trudeau government

During the 2015 federal election, the SUMA (SUMA) is calling for the reinstatement of the mandatory long-form census. “The loss of the mandatory long-form census four years ago has resulted in a significant loss of the data municipalities need to plan for the future to meet the ever-changing needs of their residents,” said SUMA President Debra Button. “In some cases, the data is…