News

This week, the Estevan Mercury published an editorial defending the current revenue sharing forumula. You can read the full editorial on their website.

Project plans for 2016 show the federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) supported 120 local roads and bridges projects in Saskatchewan's urban municipalities. On behalf of members, SUMA expressed gratitude today for the "predictable, long-term, indexed funding" our members receive thanks to the GTF. SUMA thanks the Government of Canada for their commitment to Saskatchewan hometowns. More…

SUMA is excited to partner with our friends at SARM and the Southeast College to offer Municipal Management Essentials training to members. This training is intended to supplement training available through the Municipal Leadership Development Program (MLDP) and help municipalities build skills and capacity for administrative staff and foremen (though council members are welcome to…

The Crime Reduction Committee was struck recently to examine crime in Saskatchewan. Their goal is "to determine where provincial policies are effective in reducing and eliminating crime, and what best-practices can be used to reduce it in other areas." The committee will be touring the province to receive input from organizations, individuals and communities (see the schedule…

The Government of Saskatchewan is now accepting applications for infrastructure projects through two funding programs: the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF), and the Provincial Territorial Infrastructure Component (PTIC) of the New Building Canada Fund. You can use the same online form to apply to both programs, but previous PTIC applications will need to be resubmitted. The form and more…

Randy Goulden has be elected Interim President by the Board of Directors to serve until the end Convention 2017. Rounding out the Executive Committee is:  VP of Cities: Bob Maloney; VP of Towns: Rodger Hayward; Interim VP of Villages, Resort Villages, and Northern Municipalities: Mike Strachan; and  Saskatoon/Regina Executive Member: Mike O'Donnell.  The single-city…

While SUMA staff are giving the Municipal Leaders' Roles and Responsibilities workshops around Saskatchewan, we also remind you that you can register for the other Municipal Leadership Development Program (MLDP) modules coming up later this fall. These workshops are a great way for council members to network and learn about strengthening leadership in local government. Past attendees have had…

The SUMA (SUMA) is pleased to see the Government of Canada expanding their investment in infrastructure as announced yesterday in the fall fiscal update. See our full response in today's media release. 

Do you have a bylaw enforcement officer? SUMA and our friends at SARM are surveying members on behalf of the  Saskatchewan Association of Municipal Enforcement Officers  (SAMEO). We are looking for information on the salaries and hours for your bylaw enforcement officers. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey.

Now that municipal elections are concluded, SUMA is looking ahead to the elections for our Board of Directors. This document explains the official procedures to elect and appoint SUMA Board members. Some members of the SUMA Board did not seek re-election in their municipalities, and some were not re-elected. All of those vacancies will be filled in accordance with our bylaws as we move…

Municipalities and First Nations are invited to apply to the Community Infrastructure Partnership Project to establish joint solid waste management projects. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is delivering the program with funds from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Six partnerships between First Nations and municipalities will get facilitation and capacity building…

The provincial and federal governments announced their agreement under new federal infrastructure funding programs today, and SUMA's Vice-President of Cities, Mayor Malcolm Eaton, was on hand to give remarks.  "The residents of our hometowns expect high-quality, safe, reliable infrastructure. They deserve it," said Eaton. "This funding helps us ensure urban…

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is launching a network to help local leaders get involved with the 150th anniversary of Confederation, and you can designate leaders from your municipality. Canada 150 Community leaders will not only serve as representatives during Canada 150 events, they will also share information and continue the network beyond the 2017 celebrations. Your choices…

No, that's not a typo; today, Statistics Canada thanked Canadians for "making this the best census since 1666" — the first Canadian census. The response rate was 98.4 per cent overall, and 97.8 per cent for the long-form census. Statistics Canada says the response rate will have high-quality information for virtually all communities, a major shift from…

Is your municipality interested in hiring a Community Safety Officer (CSO) to supplement policing and bylaw enforcement? To get a Special Constable Appointment, your CSO must have completed a six-week training course, and the next round of training will be held at the Prince Albert Campus of Saskatchewan Polytechnic from November 7–December 16. The deadline to register…