Resolutions

Whereas urban municipalities in Saskatchewan require sufficient protection to accommodate and manage their future growth effectively, ensuring sustainable and strategic urban development; and

Whereas the current The Planning and Development Act, 2007, lacks the necessary mechanisms for urban municipalities to safeguard their growth boundaries or regulate development on lands adjacent to their boundaries; and

Whereas unchecked and uncoordinated development in rural municipalities on the boundaries of urban municipalities undermines economic efficiency, hinders orderly growth, and exacerbates land-use conflicts; and

Whereas amending The Planning and Development Act, 2007 to provide growth protections will promote balanced, sustainable, and regionally coordinated development, benefiting both urban and rural communities.

Therefore be it resolved that SUMA advocate the Government of Saskatchewan to amend The Planning and Development Act, 2007, to include enforceable provisions that:

1. Clearly define and protect designated urban growth boundaries;
2. Empower urban municipalities to establish and regulate development zones within a defined radius of their boundaries;
3. Mandate regional collaborative planning processes to align development priorities;
4. Ensure that the growth protections are equitable, legally binding, and reflective of the long term needs of Saskatchewan's urban municipal centers; and
5. Support a growth planning horizon of 25 to 35 years.

Acts affected: The Planning and Development Act, 2007

Dear Randy Goulden,

Thank you for your May 1, 2025 letter regarding resolutions passed at the 2025 Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association Convention.

Re: 2025-07: Sustainable Urban Development

• The Ministry of Government Relations (GR) recognizes that municipal boundary alterations can present challenges for municipalities when affected councils cannot reach an agreement.
• GR's current approach to intermunicipal partnerships is to encourage voluntary collaboration by promoting the benefits to the municipal sector. This approach recognizes the importance of municipal autonomy while providing municipalities with alternative service options.
• One voluntary tool is intermunicipal agreements, which have been used by municipalities to help navigate the boundary alteration process. This tool can be used to:
  • Collaborate in specific geographic areas (i.e., around large urban centres)
  • Collaborate on certain items (ie., land use planning and the designation of future growth areas, infrastructure and shared services, parks and recreation facilities, or emergency services)
• The province offers the Targeted Sector Support Initiative that provides municipalities cost-shared grants up to 75 per cent to partner on projects for capacity building, regional cooperation, relationship building and dispute resolution

Congratulations on another successful convention. I look forward to continuing our work together and future discussions on areas of mutual interest.

Sincerely,

Eric Schmalz

Minister of Government Relations

Minister Responsible for First Nations, Metis, and Northern Affairs

Minister Responsible for Provincial Capital Commission