March 27, 2023

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 4, 2023

Webinar - Planning for a Net-Zero Energy Future

April 12, 2023

MuniCast Release - Season 4, Episode 4: Leading from Ordinary to Extraordinary with Joan McCusker

April 16-19, 2023

2023 SUMA Convention and Tradeshow

See all upcoming events.

SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOUR HOMETOWN

Convention 2023 is focused on learning, and we want to learn more about your community! You're invited to submit a video, a photo, or a sentence that shares a fun fact about your community. Maybe it's how your community got its name, that your town office was once a courthouse, or your community is home to the world's tallest moose (we're looking at you Mac.)

Email your video, photo, or sentence to communications@suma.org by April 11, and MC Joan McCusker will share it during Convention 2023. If sending a photo, please include a short description.

SUMA's Response to the

2023-24 Provincial Budget

On March 22, the Government of Saskatchewan tabled its 2023-24 provincial budget. The budget projects a $1 billion surplus.

SUMA was pleased to see an investment in the transportation system in Saskatchewan’s north. We also welcome the more than $297 million for Municipal Revenue Sharing that was previously announced.

However, we are disappointed that our hometowns will continue to be charged PST on municipal construction projects. We also believe there needs to be discussion on the revenue sharing model to ensure it reflects where Saskatchewan’s population lives and works. This is something we have brought up with the province and something that we will continue to work on.

As access to health services has been a major concern for our communities, we were pleased to see the increase in health care funding, and are especially encouraged by the funding focused on reducing service interruptions in our smaller communities.

We were also pleased to see an investment in mental health and addictions. However, SUMA continues to be concerned with the Saskatchewan Income Support program, with monthly amounts still falling below the basic cost of living, and a lack of investment in supportive housing across the province.

Investments are important to improving the quality of life in Saskatchewan’s hometowns. SUMA appreciates the provincial investments, but there is still work to be done.

Read SUMA's media release on the provincial budget

Discuss the Future of Power in Saskatchewan

SaskPower's power system is undergoing major changes as they replace many of the generation facilities we have relied on for decades. In the webinar Planning for a Net-Zero Energy Future on Tuesday, April 4 at 10:00 a.m., join a conversation with SaskPower's planning team. SaskPower will discuss the importance of the Future Supply Plan – 2030 and Beyond, the realities of power generation in Saskatchewan, future power supply options, and unique aspects to consider.

SaskPower is also holding a series of online workshops on setting priorities for the future of Saskatchewan's power system. During the sessions, SaskPower will:

Share information about key aspects of the power supply options they're considering such as: cost, emissions, economic, and social impacts.
Engage in a discussion about what their priorities should be when planning the ideal power supply mix.

Workshop schedule:

Wednesday, March 29, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, March 28, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 30, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

You can also provide your input by completing SaskPower’s 5-minute survey. The survey closes on April 5.

New Fund Aimed at Increasing Affordable Housing

Earlier this month, the Government of Canada announced the Housing Accelerator Fund. The fund will provide incentive funding to local governments to encourage local initiatives that remove barriers to housing supply, accelerate the growth of supply, and support the development of complete, low-carbon and climate-resilient communities which are affordable, inclusive, equitable, and diverse.

Local governments who have delegated authority over land use planning and development approvals are eligible to apply. The application portal is opening later this year.

Municipalities are encouraged to visit cmhc.ca for more information and to register to receive information updates and invitations to upcoming information sessions on the fund.

Provincial Firefighter Training Centre

Re-Opening

Saskatchewan residents can soon train to become certified fire fighters in their home province as Parkland College's provincial firefighting training site in Melville is set to re-open.

Firefighting training was previously available at the college's site until 2021 when it was placed on hold due in part to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, those who were seeking to become professional firefighters needed to go outside the province for training.

The provincial firefighting training centre in Melville will accommodate between 18 and 24 students per cohort for those interested in becoming professional firefighters. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1001 program will be the first training offered. Additional professional, industrial, and volunteer firefighting training will begin this fall.

Learn more

Parks and Recreation

Spring Training Symposium

Enhance the skills of your front-line parks and recreation staff, volunteers, and supervisors at the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association’s Spring Training Symposium this April.

The symposium is taking place April 24-27 in Humboldt.

Learn more and register at spra.sk.ca/symposium.

Apply for an Education for Sustainable Development Recognition Award

Is your municipality involved in educational work that supports the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030 ) or the Earth Charter Principles Have you considered applying for a 2023 Recognition Award?

The deadline for applications is March 31.

See the application guide for the details and complete the application form.

Stakeholder Roundtables on Governing Sustainable Municipalities

The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy is hosting roundtable discussions on governing sustainable municipalities. The roundtables are an opportunity to work together to better understand the challenges and opportunities that exist when municipalities develop sustainability goals and work towards achieving those goals. Municipal administrators and local leaders are invited to join the session closest to them.

Sessions are taking place in-person and on Zoom.

March 28 - Swift Current
March 31 - Weyburn
April 5 - North Battleford
April 14 - Yorkton
May 3 - Saskatoon
June 15 - Regina

These sessions are not open to the public. Space is limited. For more information and to register please visit http://jsgs-gsm.ca.

MLDP at Convention

The Municipal Leadership Development Program (MLDP) is a series of modules developed exclusively for elected and appointed municipal leaders in Saskatchewan. Mayors, councillors, and municipal staff are able to benefit from this program designed to strengthen local government leadership.

In-person sessions are taking place before the SUMA Convention on Saturday, April 15 at TCU Place in Saskatoon.

Municipal Economic Development Fundamentals;
Strategic and Financial Planning for Municipalities;
Human Resources in the Municipal Workplace; or
Strategic Communications for Municipalities

The Community and Land Use Planning module is available online.

For more information or to register, please visit www.mldp.ca.

SUMA Representatives in Benin

Through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), SUMA President Randy Goulden and CEO Jean-Marc Nadeau travelled to the West African nation of Benin to share knowledge and build relationships.

Since 1987, FCM's international peer-to-peer approach has helped global partners learn how to foster lasting economic development, empower local governments, and encourage civic participation.

ADVOCACY UPDATE

Meetings with Ministers: Health and Environment

Last week, members of SUMA's Board of Directors met with the provincial ministers responsible for: health; mental health and addictions, seniors, and rural and remote health; and environment.

During the meeting with the health ministers on March 20, SUMA brought forward the topics of nurse and doctor recruitment, ambulance services, and community health networks.

On March 23, SUMA met with the Minister of Environment, the Honourable Dana Skoropad, to discuss demolition of derelict buildings, landfill decommissioning, decommissioning and remediation of hydrocarbon sites, extended producer responsibility for recycling, and the importance of a Municipal Climate Change Action Centre.

CONVENTION 2023

Shape SUMA at Convention 2023

There are many opportunities to shape SUMA and influence our advocacy at Convention 2023, including these great sessions:

Dialogue with SUMA

Dialogue with SUMA sessions are an opportunity to share feedback with SUMA’s internal advocacy committees. Is there something you have been wanting to see SUMA advocate for or host an education session on? Have you heard about a new initiative that you would like to discuss? The Dialogue with SUMA sessions, happening April 16 from 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. are for you.

There are four topics to choose from, based on SUMA's internal advocacy committees - community and economic development; environment; intergovernmental affairs; and public safety and health.

Tune In to the Future of SUMA's Governance

As part of SUMA’s 2021-25 strategic plan, the SUMA Board of Directors commissioned a governance review to look for more opportunities to have member voices heard, find ways to make SUMA nimbler in its decision making and response to issues, and review and adopt best practices to improve the organization’s effectiveness, transparency, and accountability.

On April 17 at 11:45 a.m. learn more about the review, including what we’ve heard from members on SUMA’s potential governance structure, and ask any questions you have.

We will also be holding an open house. Take a closer look at SUMA's governance review between 12:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. on April 17 and 7:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. on April 18.

Resolutions

Resolutions help direct SUMA's advocacy. They are also a great way to get issues important to your community in front of the media.

There are 12 resolutions to debate on April 17 at 3:30 p.m. See the resolutions package for all the details on this year's resolutions.

Sector Meetings

Sector meetings give delegates a chance to meet with colleagues from other municipalities in the same sector. This is a chance to discuss current issues affecting your sector. The sector meetings are on April 18 at 8:30 a.m.

SUMA AGM

The SUMA Annual General Meeting on April 18 at 1:15 p.m. is your opportunity to learn about our activities in 2022. Receive updates on advocacy efforts, review detailed financial statements, and appoint an auditor.

The AGM package, including our annual report and the resolutions package, was sent to the main contact for each member municipality on March 9. It is also available in SUMA's member portal.

For the 2023 SUMA Convention and Tradeshow, SUMA is once again offering an online option for Resolutions and the SUMA AGM. Mayors and councillors who are unable to attend Convention 2023 in-person can register to participate online in these select sessions for the cost of $50. Online voting and non-voting delegates can participate in debate, and voting delegates will be able to vote. Learn more about registering for this online option.

Registration Deadline: April 11

The deadline to register for the 2023 SUMA Convention and Tradeshow is April 11. After that date, registrations will still be accepted, but a $50 administration fee will be charged for each registration.

Still thinking about registering for Convention? See the 2023 Convention Brochure for more information. If you have questions about registration, check out the Member Registration FAQ. A FAQ for associate members, non-members, and corporate registrations is also available.