Rural Dart

November 21, 2023

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Administrator Action Item

Changes to SARM’s Quarterly

Publication, The Rural Councillor (RC)

The RC was recently updated with not only a new look but a focus to include timely articles that are pertinent to Saskatchewan’s Rural Municipalities (RMs).

Previously, every RM receives printed editions for administrators and all council members (approximately 9-12 copies). Starting with the Winter 2023 RC, RMs will only receive three (3) printed copies. If an RM requires more than that, they can contact communications@sarm.ca.

NOTE: The RC Mailing List uses the addresses listed in the RM Directory on SARM’s website. All corrections/updates must be done by the RM in the registry.

The RC is published quarterly in both a printed and digital version, and distributed to all reeves, councillors, administrators, MLAs, government departments, and subscribers. It gives an in-depth look at the issues SARM is working on and covers anything happening or affecting rural Saskatchewan regarding the economy, infrastructure, agriculture, environment, recreation, tourism, Governance, or other pertinent to rural SK topics.

SARM Publications

Your Voice

SARM Resolutions Committee

Expression of Interest

Looking for Rural Representatives from SARM Divisions 2, 4, & 6

At the 2019 SARM Annual Convention, delegates passed two resolutions calling for the creation of a Resolutions Committee. As such, the SARM Board of Directors has approved a resolution process, which includes the creation of a Resolutions Committee with representation from each of the six SARM divisions. The SARM Resolutions Committee assists the Board of Directors and staff to carryout and improve the resolution policy and has the authority to:

Alter the wording, grammar, and format of resolutions to make them clear and distinct
Combine like resolutions
Recommend resolutions be withdrawn
Categorize resolutions
Amend background information that is deemed inaccurate or irrelevant in nature.

The Resolution Committee also evaluates and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for improvements to the current resolution policies and procedures.

We are contacting all members in Divisions 2, 4, and 6 for interest in a two year term.

The SARM Board will appoint interested members to the committee at their December Board of Directors meeting.

If anyone on your council wishes to be on the Resolutions Committee, please submit the online Expression of Interest form linked below by Friday, November 24th, 2023.

Submit Expression of Interest

Terms of Reference

New Interim Standard and Codes of Practice

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is excited to announce the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program will engage on an interim Standard for in-water isolation intended to address Wave 1 feedback, as well as four proposed new interim Codes of Practice:

Bridge repair and maintenance;
Municipal and agricultural drain maintenance;
Repair and maintenance of in-water structures; and,
Repair, maintenance and construction of docks, moorings and boathouses.

FFHPP is seeking input on the clarity and scope of the new interim SCoPs to validate and improve the management measures used to protect fish and fish habitat.

An analysis and review of feedback received will be required before this interim Code of Practice, and the interim Standard and Codes of Practice released August 10, 2023, are published as final.

Comments and feedback are welcome until November 30, 2023.

Please send any comments or questions to DFO.FFHPP-PPPH.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Learn More

University of Saskatchewan - College of Medicine

Looking for Volunteer Multiple Mini Interview Accessors (Jan 27 & 28)

Who are we looking for:

Health professionals and members from the community that will offer a balanced, fair and diverse perspective to help inform our selection decisions.
Assessors who are comfortable with virtual technology as we will be hosting our Multiple Mini Interviews synchronously using an online platform.
Google Chrome: Version 77 or newer (recommended browser), Firefox: Version 69 or newer , Microsoft Edge (on Chromium): Version 76 or newer, Opera: Version 62 or newer. Please note that Safari and Internet Explorer (IE) are not supported at this time.

What we need from you:

One-full day (approximately eight hours) commitment for assessing and interviewing candidates for personal qualities important for the medical profession.
Participation in a mandatory training session for the Multiple Mini Interview assessors.

What you can expect from us:

Multiple Mini Interview assessor training including orientation to the interview platform and pre-interview system check.
Pre-Multiple Mini Interview and interview day technical support.

If you would like to volunteer for the Multiple Mini Interview, please complete the online volunteer form 2024 Assessor Registration Form by December 1, 2023. It must be understood that this is a volunteer position and students/staff/faculty will not be compensated or reimbursed for their time.

You will be contacted with further details regarding assessor selection, scheduling, training and orientation sessions. If you have questions, please contact the College of Medicine Admissions Office at med.admissions@usask.ca.

Registration Form

2023 SARM Midterm Convention

Delegate Feedback Survey

Thank you to all who attended the 2023 SARM Midterm Convention. We appreciate your feedback so we can continually improve your experience for future events.

SARM is requesting all RMs who attended midterm convention to please take 5 minutes to complete the following survey by December 4, 2023.

Complete Survey

Feedback on Regulations Under The Plant Health Act

The Ministry of Agriculture is modernizing the pest legislation to reflect the current conditions in Saskatchewan. The Pests Declaration Regulations, The Bacterial Ring Rot Control Regulations, and The Late Blight Control Regulations are being reviewed to align them with the new Plant Health Act.

Your feedback is important; please complete the survey linked below. The deadline to submit your feedback has been extended to January 4, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Raul Avila, Provincial Specialist, Pest Regulatory, at 306-787-7474 or by email at raul.avila@usask.ca.

Submit Feedback

Review Regulations

Awards/Nominations/Scholarships

17th Annual Saskatchewan Municipal Awards

Nominate your Municipality Today!

Established in 2006, the Saskatchewan Municipal Awards (SMAs) celebrate the hard work of Saskatchewan’s municipal governments, and aim to recognize their innovation and excellence. The SMAs are awarded to both rural and urban municipalities, and provide provincial exposure for the municipality and the initiative.

The 2023 Saskatchewan Municipal awards will be awarded to:

Top municipal led initiative (rural, urban, or cooperative)
Top rural municipal led initiative
Top urban municipal led initiative
Regional cooperation (a joint initiative involving at least one rural and one urban municipality)

Celebrate a municipally led initiative by submitting a nomination before 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday November 21, 2023.

Submit a Nomination

Visit SMA Website

Resources

Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA)

Infrastructure Summit & Trade Show

- Nov 29-30

Join the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA) for Saskatchewan's first ever Infrastructure Summit. The summit will be held at the Delta Hotel & Convention Centre in Regina from November 29-30.

This 2-day event will feature technical sessions across a broad sector of industry applications including infrastructure and transportation.

Learn More / Register

Municipal Leaders' Roles and Responsibilities Webinar

Municipal Leadership

Development Program (MLDP)

The 2023 Municipal Leaders’ Roles and Responsibilities seminar will be held virtually over Microsoft Teams. This webinar will provide information to newly-elected council members about their roles and responsibilities as a council member of their local government. The presentations would also serve as a good refresher for existing council members.

Participants will hear about the importance of open and transparent government, conflict of interest, code of ethics, decision making, council procedures, the rights and obligations of elected officials, administrators, and rate payers, and procurement best practices.

Those attending this seminar will be given credit for MLDP Module 1, so please ensure that everyone attending is registered separately (even if you are watching as a group) for tracking purposes.

Date: November 30, 2023

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location: Virtual Session

Disclaimer: The following RMs have requested the information below to be distributed and will be billed for using this service.

Looking to Hire:

RM of Lake Johnston No. 102, Administrator, DEC 20 - Close

RM of Maple Bush No. 224, Grader Operator/Maintenance Worker, DEC 14 - Close

RM of Whiska Creek No. 106, Equipment Operator, DEC 14 - Close

RM of Prairie Rose No. 309, Permanent Full-Time Working Foreman, DEC 7 - Close

RM of Sasman No. 336, Administrator, DEC 2 - Close

RM of Corman Park No. 344, Planner 2, DEC 1 - Close

RM of Reciprocity No. 32, Public Works Supervisor, NOV 25 - Close

RM of Milton No. 292, Administrator, NOV 25 - Close

Resort Village of Cochin, Chief Administrative Officer, NOV 25 - Close

City of Melfort, City Treasurer, NOV 24 - Close

RM of South Qu’Appelle No. 157, Administrator, NOV 23 - Close

Looking to Buy/Sell:

RM of Flett Springs No. 429, For Sale: 2019 Case IH Maxxum 145 Tractor, DEC 14 - Close

RM of Whiska Creek No. 106, For Sale: 2010 CAT 140M VHP Motor Grader, DEC 14 - Close

RM of Reciprocity No. 32, For Tender: 2001 Capital I Left-Hand Snow Wing and 2015 Brandt Left Side Postless Snow Wing, DEC 13 - Close

RM of Winslow No. 319, For Tender: 2019 Bush Hog Mower Model 4815XD, DEC 11 - Close

RM of Hoodoo No. 401, For Sale: 1999 Terex TS14D-II, DEC 7 - Close

RM of Happy Valley No. 10, For Tender: 2003 Degelman & 2010 Degelman, DEC 1 - Close

RM of Progress No. 351, For Tender: 2017 Case 885-AWD Motor Grader, DEC 1 - Close

If you have questions or would like to post in the SARM Classifieds contact: (306) 757-3577 or sarm@sarm.ca

Please send your advertisement in a Word Document.

SARM Classifieds

New Highway Hotline Ad Premieres and Snow Zone Campaign Launches

The Ministry of Highways officially debuted its new winter safety campaign reminding motorists that the safest trip is a planned trip using the Highway Hotline.

To view past issues of the Rural Dart, visit the Publications page on the SARM website.

Rural Dart Archive

2023 SARM Midterm Convention

Feedback on Regulations Under The Plant Health Act

New This Week