News

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…

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…

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…

The 116th Annual Convention will be held online February 7-10, 2021. With the uncertainty of COVID-19, SUMA's Convention Planning Committee made the decision to transition to a virtual event for 2021 to ensure that representatives from Saskatchewan’s hometowns can still come together in February to network, learn, and advocate for the betterment of Saskatchewan’s communities.…

While SUMA is appreciative of the federal government fast tracking federal gas tax funding, hometowns require additional emergency funding to continue providing the services that residents rely on daily. “The advance of the federal gas tax funding will help municipalities in the short-term,” said SUMA President Gordon Barnhart. “But as our hometowns are hard at work to support…

During an interview with the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, which resulted in an article published May 8, 2020, President Gordon Barnhart expressed opinions regarding municipal restructuring. The opinions expressed in the article were strictly his own and do not represent the opinions of the SUMA Board of Directors or the direction of the organization. See the full statement from the SUMA Executive…

  At the 115th Annual Convention in February, the SUMA (SUMA) announced it is changing its name to SUMA. We know you have questions, so we've done our best to answer them below. Why is SUMA rebranding? SUMA has struggled for years with recognition by other orders of government, the media, and the public. Under Saskatchewan legislation, any gathering of…

Treaty 4 Territory, Regina, Sask.– To raise awareness and engagement in local democracy, Local Government Week has again been officially proclaimed in the province of Saskatchewan, at the joint request of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), Métis Nation Saskatchewan (MN-S), the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), the Saskatchewan School Boards…

The SUMA (SUMA) continues to call on the provincial government to share a portion of cannabis excise tax revenues as Saskatchewan moves to an open-market system for cannabis retail permits. “Saskatchewan’s hometowns are on the front lines of cannabis legalization, responsible for developing and enforcing rules around cannabis production, sales, and consumption,” said SUMA…

City mayors and managers are meeting in Regina today for the SUMA (SUMA) City Mayors’ Caucus to discuss issues important to the province’s largest municipalities. “Cities carry a great deal of responsibility in Saskatchewan,” said Mayor Fraser Tolmie, chair of the City Mayors’ Caucus and Mayor of Moose Jaw. “The City Mayors’ Caucus is a forum where we…

The SUMA (SUMA) is concerned that changes to Saskatchewan’s net metering program will impact hometowns building resilience to climate change through alternative energy sources. Saskatchewan’s net metering program will be reactivated on November 1. However, unlike the previous program, there will be no rebate for equipment or installation costs, and excess power will be credited at…

Municipal leaders from 17 hometowns in east central Saskatchewan are gathered in Yorkton today to discuss the matters important to their hometowns. Topics relating to public safety, including rail safety, are being discussed at the East Central Regional Meeting hosted by the SUMA (SUMA). The meeting included a presentation by Marc Brazeau, President of the Railway Association of Canada. See…

Municipal leaders from 17 hometowns in southeast Saskatchewan are gathered in Whitewood today to discuss the matters important to their communities. Energy management is one of the topics on the agenda at the Southeast Regional Meeting hosted by the SUMA (SUMA). See more in the full media release.

Municipal leaders from 23 communities in southwest Saskatchewan are gathered in Shaunavon today to discuss the matters important to their communities. Inter-municipal cooperation is one of the topics on the agenda at the Southwest Regional Meeting hosted by the SUMA (SUMA). See more in the full media release. 

Municipal leaders from 12 hometowns in west central Saskatchewan are gathered in Eston today to discuss matters important to their communities. Emergency preparedness is one of the topics of conversation at the West Central Regional Meeting hosted by the SUMA (SUMA). See more in the full media release.