December 12, 2023

Note: certain email platforms distort the Rural Dart formatting. It is viewed best as a webpage through your internet browser.

SARM Member Emails

It’s been a while since administrators let us know they were receiving too many emails from SARM, and that the messages were getting lost or not read. To corral this, SARM began publishing all pertinent information, including the SARM calendar, classifieds, reminders, and action items in the Rural Dart (RD) or the Rural Sheaf (RS), sometimes in both, many times with the pieces running more than once.

For easy reference and access, the weekly RD and monthly RS publications are posted online at sarm.ca/about/publications/ where other SARM communication pieces such as annual reports, new releases, and the Rural Councillor (RC) are also kept.

SARM will continue to disseminate information this way, which we hope alleviates any potential missed messaging.

SARM Publications

Reminder

Notice of Planned Procurement Posting on SaskTenders

The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) requires any municipality interested in participating in a buying group to publish a declaration of its intent to participate in a buying group. Participating in SARM’s buying group includes purchases from SARM’s Member Purchasing, Canoe Procurement Group of Canada and Sourcewell.

SARM’s legal counsel has advised that the provisions of the CFTA requiring a procuring entity to publish a notice of participation with the buying group applies to each of SARM’s members individually. The legal advice that we received is that the RM is the procuring entity and it is the RM’s responsibility to make this annual posting.

SARM is advising its members to individually post a notice of their participation with the SARM buying group on SaskTenders before making purchases from the SARM buying group’s offerings. This posting is only required to remain active for two weeks. You will need to repeat this posting annually if purchases are planned for the year.

To create your municipality’s declaration, copy and paste the paragraph below onto a document with your municipality’s letterhead and attach it to your Notice of Planned Procurement posting on SaskTenders.

(Insert Municipality Name) intends to participate in one or more procurements offered through the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), between (insert one year period including month/year). For further information and access to SARM’s Request for Proposal (RFP) notices, please review the Government of Saskatchewan website at https://sasktenders.ca/content/public/Search.aspx.

Please contact Amanda Kozak, SARM's Member Purchasing Advisor, if you have any questions at 306.761.3722 or akozak@sarm.ca.

Contact Amanda

SARM Calendar for Outlook

Similar to last year, in conjunction with the 2024 SARM pocket calendars and the online calendar located on our website we have created an email calendar through Outlook for members who are looking for an easier and more efficient way to keep track of important municipal deadlines and reminders. Please note this calendar is only compatible with Outlook.

If you are an Outlook user and wish to gain access to the 2024 ‘SARM Member Calendar’, please click the link below to download the file. Once the calendar has finished downloading, double click the file in your Downloads folder to import the contents into your existing Outlook calendar or as a new calendar entirely.

Download Outlook Calendar

2024 SARM Annual Resolution Deadline

The deadline to submit resolutions for the upcoming 2024 SARM Annual Convention is Sunday, January 28, 2024, end of day.

Resolutions must be received in the SARM office by this date in order to be addressed at the upcoming convention and included in the convention guide. Each resolution must be emailed separately. Please email resolutions to resolutions@sarm.ca.

Refer to the Guide for Writing Resolutions and the Resolution Submission Form for details.

Your Voice

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 by 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

Resources

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health is keeping everyone updated on the province’s Health Human Resources Action Plan with this infographic highlighting key areas of success.

Read the News Release: Saskatchewan Extends Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive

Learn more about the Saskatchewan Health Human Resources Action Plan

Winter Welfare for Livestock Animals

As temperatures drop, the maintenance energy requirements of livestock animals increases and they require more feed to maintain an appropriate body condition score. Feed testing is available to producers. Reach out to your local livestock and feed extension specialist to learn more or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

Providing animals with access to sheltered areas and adequate clean, dry bedding will help reduce cold stress. Animals should be monitored for any signs of hypothermia, including shivering, pale extremities, decreased respiratory rate, clumsy gait, or frostbite. If any symptoms of hypothermia are present, producers should contact their herd veterinarian immediately for assistance.

Regional Office Directory

Tourism Growth Program (TGP) in the Prairie Provinces

Tourism drives economic development and diversification in many regions and communities across Canada. Delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies, the Tourism Growth Program provides $108 million over 3 years to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, small and medium-sized businesses, and not-for-profit organizations in developing local tourism products and experiences. The program also complements other federal, provincial, and territorial supports for the tourism industry.

The TGP contributes to the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, which charts a course for long-term growth, investment, and stability in Canada’s tourism industry.

For more information and applications, please visit the TGP webpage on Canada.ca.

Infrastructure Canada’s

Rural Transit Solutions Fund

Planning and Design Projects Stream - Call for Applications

Infrastructure Canada is now accepting applications for the Planning and Design Projects stream of Infrastructure Canada’s Rural Transit Solutions Fund. The Rural Transit Solutions Fund is the first federal fund to target the development of transit solutions in rural and remote communities.

Under the Planning and Design Projects stream, eligible applicants can seek a grant of up to $50,000 to support communities’ projects to plan and design new or expanded transit solutions for their communities (e.g., public engagement, needs assessments, feasibility or viability studies, surveys and assessments of routes or modes of travel).

Learn More

Applications for the Planning and Design Projects stream will now be accepted on a rolling intake basis through the Applicant Portal, which can be accessed on Infrastructure Canada’s webpage, along with other useful information to assist with the application process. The Applicant Guide, as well as the Step-by-Step Guide, which can also be found on the website, provides detailed information on the Rural Transit Solutions Fund, including applicant and project eligibility requirements, as well as guidance for completing applications.

Applications for the Capital Projects stream continue to be accepted through the Infrastructure Canada’s Applicant Portal. Infrastructure Canada encourages applicants to submit their application as soon as possible to increase the likelihood of securing available funding. Before applying, applicants are encouraged to review the information in the Capital Project Stream Application Guide and follow the Step-by-Step Guide for Applications to the Capital Stream of the Rural Transit Solutions Fund. The RTSF webpage is also an excellent reference.

Additionally, over the coming months Infrastructure Canada will be hosting a series of webinars for potential applicants. Dates are:

English Sessions

Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT (Planning and Design Stream)

Thursday, December 14, 2023, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT (Capital Stream)

Tuesday, January 16, 2024,

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT (Planning and Design Stream)

Tuesday, January 24, 2024,

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT (Planning and Design Stream)

French Sessions

Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT (Planning and Design Stream)

Friday, December 15, 2023,

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT (Capital Stream)

Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT (Planning and Design Stream)

Wednesday, January 25, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT (Planning and Design Stream)

Webinar Registration

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 Grandview No. 349, Seasonal Equipment Operator, JAN 12 - Close

RM of Milton No. 292, Administrator, JAN 5 - Close

RM of Tisdale No. 427, Full-Time Administrator, JAN 4 - Close

RM of Saskatchewan Landing No. 167, Equipment/Grader Operator, DEC 29 - Close

RM of Beaver River No. 622, Office Clerk, DEC 22 - 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 Mervin No. 499, Chief Administrative Officer, DEC 13 - Close

RM of Craik No. 222, Administrative Assistant, DEC 13 - Close

Looking to Buy/Sell:

RM of Progress No. 351, For Tender: 2015 Cat 140M AWD Motor Grader, DEC 23 - Close

RM of Blaine Lake No. 434, For Tender: 2022 Southland SL280 14’ Dump Trailer, DEC 18 - Close

RM of Flett's 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

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

Agriculture Boot Camp Provides Students Hands-On Learning Experience with Industry Experts

Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre (Sask DLC) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic (Sask Polytech) are providing high school students the opportunity to get practical, hands-on learning in the agriculture technology field.

Hunting Season Reminder: Submit Samples for CWD Testing

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing drop-off locations are open for another year, and the Ministry of Environment is asking hunters to submit deer, moose and elk samples.

SARM Calendar for Outlook

2024 SARM Annual Resolution Deadline

Feedback on Regulations Under The Plant Health Act

Tourism Growth Program (TGP) in the Prairie Provinces

New This Week