Urban Update: September 6

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Issue No. 16-19

September 6, 2016

Statistics Canada:
Census 2016 "The Best Census Ever"

Last week, Statistics Canada thanked Canadians for "making this the best census since 1666." That was the year of the first Canadian census when Canada was just a ribbon of a French colony along the banks of the St. Lawrence River.

The high response rate -- 98.4 per cent overall, and 97.8 per cent for the long-form census -- means high-quality information will be available for virtually all communities. Saskatchewan's overall response rate was 98.1 per cent.

Census 2011 was hobbled by the removal of the mandatory long-form census and left nearly half of Saskatchewan communities without reliable information. SUMA advocated for the return of the mandatory long-form census during last year's federal election , and launched a campaign this spring encouraging the Saskatchewan residents to complete the census. Thank you to everyone who completed their census ( the Chief Statistician of Canada also says thank you ) and we look forward to the release of data, which will begin on February 8, 2017.

Get Registered for Community Safety Officer Program Training

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.

The next round of training will be held at the Prince Albert Campus of Saskatchewan Polytechnic from November 7 to December 16. The deadline to register is Saturday, October 1, so start preparing now. More details on training are available in this poster from the Ministry of Justice. You may also want to check out the FAQs on the CSO program.

Nominations Due This Week!

If you have not already done so, be sure to submit your nominations for the Saskatchewan Municipal Awards by this Friday, September 9, at 4:00 p.m. Don't miss your chance to recognize something that your municipality has done to go the extra mile!

The Saskatchewan Municipal Awards (SMAs) are a great chance to have your municipality recognized for innovation and excellence. Submit your nomination now; winners will be announced in November and the winning urban municipalities will receive their award at Convention 2017.

Program Sponsor:

RetireWithEase Workshops

Municipal Employees' Pension Plan (MEPP) members are invited to plan-hosted workshops across the province. RetireWithEase full-day workshops are designed especially for MEPP members nearing retirement to help you understand your pension and make informed decisions. Get all the details and register for a nearby session today.

Location	Date
North Battleford	September 20
Saskatoon	September 21
Yorkton	September 29
Regina	October 12
Prince Albert	October 26
Saskatoon	October 27
Regina	November 1
Regina	November 22
Saskatoon	December 6
Regina	December 8

Have Your Say: NEB Pipeline Damage Prevention Regulations

Help the National Energy Board (NEB) develop its education and outreach strategy for the new Pipeline Damage Prevention Regulations that came into law in June. Pipeline companies are required to ensure that people know how to safely conduct activities near pipelines, and people planning activities near pipelines are required to call or click before they dig.

Take this 10-minute survey to submit your feedback on engagement tools, methods of outreach, and key messages. The survey closes on September 30, 2016. The results will be published on the NEB's Damage Prevention web page on November 1, 2016.

Have Your Say: Electoral Reform

The Government of Canada has committed to changing the electoral system before the next federal election. For people living in and around Regina, there will be several opportunities this month to participate in the national conversation on electoral reform.

Wednesday, September 7, at 7:00 p.m.: Regina-Lewvan MP Erin Weir hosts a townhall at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum Theatre in Regina.
Sunday, September 11, 7:00-9:00 p.m.: Minister of Democratic Institutions Maryam Monsef, hosts a community dialogue, in Regina. This is her sole Saskatchewan stop in a cross-country consultation tour.
Monday, September 19, afternoon and evening: the Special Committee on Electoral Reform will hold formal meetings and public sessions in Regina. This is the committee's sole Saskatchewan stop in a cross-country tour.

For more information on electoral reform, read the background paper outlining the current system in Canada and how it compares to different democracies around the world. The federal government is also encouraging communities to host their own dialogue sessions to discuss this important topic.

Trans Canada Trail Saskatchewan Connection Milestone

The trail network crossing Saskatchewan from Alberta to Manitoba will be soon be complete. To celebrate, the Trans Canada Trail invites you to attend its free 100 per cent Connection Event taking place in Moose Jaw, Saturday, October 1, 2016, from 1:00-3:00 p.m., at the Wakamow Bridge. Meet Trans Canada Trail President and CEO Deborah Apps and Co-Chair Valerie Pringle, and enjoy food and fun with the whole family.

Questions? Contact Kristen Gabora, Trail Development Manager in Kenora, at 1- 800-465-3636 ext. 4363

Urban Update Advertisement

PSD Lunch and Learn

COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Multi p le sessions starting Sep tember 7 - Oct ober 12 (12:15 - 12:45 p . m . CST )

This series features five in-depth 30-minute online sessions each focusing on a specific issue facing communications professionals. All sessions will be recorded and sent to viewers after they air, along with supplementary literature. Take in the entire series, or pick and choose your sessions. The busy communications professional will get tips, insights, and best practices to tackle the most pressing challenges in public sector communications.

SUMA members save 25 per cent using discount code SUMA25

In This Issue

Community Safety Officer Training Program

Municipal Awards Nominations Due

MEPP RetireWithEase Workshop

Have Your Say: Pipeline Damage Prevention

Have Your Say: Federal Electoral Reform

Trans Canada Trail Connection Milestone

SUMAdvantage: Hotel Partner

WCB Annual Rate Setting Info Sessions

Classifieds

Grants

Hotel Partner

Do your kids need a break from school already? Looking for an excuse to get away? Relax and save by staying at the Travelodge Regina, one of SUMA's host hotels in Regina and home to the newly renovated Soaked! indoor waterpark. Ranked as one of the top Travelodges in North America, this full-service hotel also has free breakfast: perfect for hungry kids and busy adults alike.

Rates start at $134.95. Call 306-586-3443 for reservations and make sure to tell them you're a SUMA member.

Visit SUMAdvantage online for a complete list of member programs.

Register Now for WCB Annual Rate Setting Info Sessions

Each fall, the Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board communicates rate setting information for the coming year. This year's information sessions will take place Tuesday, October 18, in Regina at the Queensbury Centre, and Wednesday, October 19, in Saskatoon at Prairieland Park. The Regina session will also be available as a live webcast. You'll need to register to have access to the webcast.

The sessions include information on: