Resolutions

Whereas urban municipalities provide the majority of essential community services and recreation facilities in Saskatchewan, including community halls, arenas, fire halls, parks, and libraries, that are used extensively by residents of surrounding rural municipalities; and 

Whereas the capital and operational costs of constructing, maintaining, insuring, and staffing these essential facilities, including the hosting of regional library branches within urban community buildings, are borne disproportionately by small urban municipalities while rural municipalities contribute inconsistently relative to their resident usage; and 

Whereas rural municipalities often contribute to fire protection services, but the hosting urban municipality remains responsible for maintaining the fire hall, carrying insurance costs (vehicle, liability, and facility), and providing administrative and logistical support to the fire departments; and 

Whereas the long-term sustainability of regional services is critical to economic development, public safety, learning and literacy, and quality of life for all Saskatchewan residents; 

Therefore be it resolved that SUMA advocate the Government of Saskatchewan for a strengthened provincial framework that ensures fair financial participation from rural municipalities in support of regional community services by implementing the following: 

1. Mandatory cost-sharing agreements for essential regional emergency services such as fire response, ensuring fair proportional contribution relative to service area and population served; 

2. Provincial incentive programs that encourage and support collaboration on recreational and community-based services and facilities, including library hosting costs, through capital and operational funding opportunities; and 

3. Provincial guidelines and tools that assist municipalities in structuring fair contribution models and resolving disputes in a timely and equitable manner.