Hometowns to Connect at 2022 SUMA Convention
For the first time in more than two years, representatives from Saskatchewan’s cities, towns, villages, resort villages, and northern municipalities are gathering in-person for SUMA’s annual convention. The 2022 SUMA Convention and Tradeshow is taking place April 3-6 in Regina. Themed Connect, Convention 2022 focuses on networking with peers, SUMA, provincial decision makers, and…
Read MoreInvestments in Health Important to Saskatchewan Hometowns, But More Funding Needed
Investments in health announced today in the 2022-23 provincial budget are important to Saskatchewan's hometowns, but more funding to address access to health and mental health and addictions services in the province is needed. "Access to healthcare, from emergency medical transport to mental health and addictions support, is pivotal in ensuring the quality of lives of the…
Read MoreSUMA Condemns Attacks on Ukraine
As the voice of Saskatchewan’s hometowns, many which have strong ties to the Ukraine, SUMA stands with other orders of government around the world in condemning Russia’s attacks on the Ukraine. “More than 13 per cent of Saskatchewan’s residents trace all or part of their ancestry to the Ukraine,” said interim President Randy Goulden. “As the organization that…
Read MoreYorkton Councillor Randy Goulden Acclaimed Interim President of SUMA
City of Yorkton Councillor Randy Goulden has been acclaimed interim president of SUMA. The decision was made during SUMA’s Board of Directors Meeting on February 18. “I am honoured to represent Saskatchewan’s hometowns as interim president until SUMA’s membership can elect their new president on April 5 at SUMA’s 2022 Convention and Tradeshow,” said Councillor…
Read MoreCity Mayors Concerned with Mental Health and Addictions Support
Mayors from Saskatchewan’s cities are extremely concerned with the availability of mental health and addictions support in Saskatchewan. “Mental health and addictions programs have never been sufficient to meet the need in Saskatchewan, or even across Canada,” Mayor Gerald Aalbers, Chair of SUMA’s City Mayors Caucus (CMC), said. “The stress of the pandemic has…
Read MoreCity Mayors Concerned with New Income Support Program
Mayors from Saskatchewan’s cities are concerned with the challenges that the province’s most vulnerable are experiencing with the new Saskatchewan Income Support program. “We are only two months into the new support program, and we are already seeing people struggle to pay their rent,” Mayor Gerald Aalbers, Chair of SUMA’s City Mayors Caucus (CMC), said. “This…
Read MoreSUMA Calling for Federal Commitment to Build Safer, Sustainable Communities
As Canadians prepare to head to the polls on September 20 to elect Canada’s 44th Parliament, the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) is calling on Canada’s federal parties to commit to helping build safer, more sustainable communities and fostering a better municipal-federal relationship. “Municipalities are the order of government closest to the…
Read MoreMunicipalities of Saskatchewan Transitioning to SUMA
Following a vote of the membership, Municipalities of Saskatchewan will be transitioning back to the name SUMA. “As a member-focused association, our members will always have the final say on important decisions,” said Mayor Rodger Hayward, President of SUMA. “We respect the decision that has been reached through an open and transparent membership vote.” The…
Read MoreSUMA Launches Podcast
In the office, at home, or on the go, listen to conversations on important municipal topics with SUMA's new podcast, MuniCast. New episodes will be released on the second Wednesday of each month. Find MuniCast on Spotify, Google, Apple, and all other major podcasting services. Our first episode, "Leading by Example with George Cuff" hit the airwaves May 12. …
Read MoreSUMA Welcomes Federal Investments in Hometowns
SUMA welcomes the Government of Canada’s investments in hometowns through broadband and infrastructure funding, as announced in the 2021-22 federal budget “Connectivity is at the forefront of our business and home lives,” said SUMA President Rodger Hayward. “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of being able to connect virtually. The additional $1…
Read MoreSUMA Appreciates Funding in 2021-22 Provincial Budget
As Saskatchewan continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, SUMA appreciates the stable funding for municipalities included in the 2021-22 provincial budget. “Saskatchewan’s hometowns understand the difficulties of preparing a budget with limited resources,” said SUMA President Rodger Hayward. “We appreciate the province’s investments in municipalities,…
Read MoreSUMA Elects New President
SUMA delegates elected Naicam Mayor Rodger Hayward as their newest president. “It is an honour to be elected SUMA President,” said Hayward. “I look forward to continuing to work with SUMA’s Board of Directors as President, and our member municipalities, to ensure our hometowns have the resources we need. We are stronger when we work together.”
Read MoreSUMA launches new website
SUMA has launched a new website, which includes a brand new Member's Portal! This portal is designed for member-only content, such as recordings of all SUMA webinars. Each of our member municipalities has been given a single login, associated with the primary contact email for your SUMA membership. Member municipalities are…
Read MoreCentralSource now powered by Kinetic GPO
CentralSource is transitioning its group purchasing to Kinetic GPO, a Canadian based group purchasing organization (GPO) with diverse contract offerings for Canada’s public sector. CentralSource, formerly SUMAdvantage, was created to harness the purchasing power of Saskatchewan’s hometowns. By joining forces with Kinetic GPO, the value for SUMA members is expanded to include: A…
Read MoreSUMA Calling for Municipal Support from Provincial Parties
Today SUMA reviewed the available election platforms issued by the registered political parties participating in the 2020 provincial election and was disappointed by the lack of support for Saskatchewan’s hometowns. “SUMA reviewed the platforms that have been made available from several of the parties,” said Gordon Barnhart, President of SUMA. “We looked for…
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