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June 2024


Note: Some email platforms distort the Rural Sheaf (RS) formatting. The RS looks best when viewed as a webpage through your internet browser.


View as Webpage

RM Directory on SARM's Website

 

Don't forget to update the RM Directory on the SARM website. This will ensure that SARM and the public are kept up to date with current RM council details. This is also where we pull the information for SARM's convention name badges.

 

To access your RM Directory profile on the SARM website, please log in here and click on the “Manage your RM Directory Listing” link that is located under the Administrator’s Access for Updates heading on the Members Only homepage.

 

If you require any assistance, please contact coordinator@sarm.ca.

Update RM Directory

2024 Midterm & 2025 Annual Convention Accommodations


Be sure to book your hotel stays in advance to take advantage of the hotel blocks that have been set aside for delegates during SARM's annual and midterm conventions. Hotel blocks are limited, so once they have been filled there is no guaranteed space/pricing.

SARM has booked blocks at the following hotels in Saskatoon:

 

  • Best Western Plus East Side (Saskatoon)
  • Delta Bessborough (Saskatoon)
  • Delta Hotels Saskatoon Downtown (Saskatoon)
  • Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre (Saskatoon)
  • TownePlace Suites by Marriott (Saskatoon) 
Hotel Pricing / Reservation Details

Your Voice

Request for Submissions

Potential Amendments to Municipal Acts

in 2025-26

 

The Ministry of Government Relations is proposing to open the three municipal Acts for amendments in the 2025-26 legislative session. The legislation concerning municipal governance—The Cities Act, The Municipalities Act, and The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010—is periodically reviewed and amended to respond to changing policy needs and stakeholder concerns. These three Acts will be reviewed concurrently for the greatest possible alignment and consistency; however, any suggested amendments are encouraged, whether they are common to all three or specific to one particular Act.

 

Please note that this will not be the only opportunity to provide suggestions for amendments. The ministry will be asking for additional feedback on potential amendments this fall and winter. Please see the outline below for approximate timing on consultations throughout the process.

In addition to SARM's active resolutions, we want to hear your recommendations that the government should consider.

Please send your comments to consultations@sarm.ca by Friday, July 5, 2024. We will compile them and share them with the Ministry of Government Relations during this initial round of consultations.

 

(The Ministry of Government Relations is requesting all stakeholder feedback be submitted by July 15, 2024.)

Submit Suggestions

Saskatchewan Election Survey


CBC Saskatchewan is looking to solicit a wide range of perspectives and thoughts in the lead-up to the next provincial election on the issues that matter most to Saskatchewan voters. CBC is asking people across this province, both urban and rural, to let them know by visiting this link www.cbc.ca/saskelection2024 and filling out the form included (the form may only show up when the link is visited on a laptop or desktop computer). 


The feedback will help inform coverage of the provincial election, and may also be used to identify people who would write personal viewpoints on the election or serve on citizen panels on our radio and TV programs.

Take Survey

Deadlines

Gopher Control Program

Claim Deadline: July 31, 2024

To learn more about the Gopher Control Program, scan the QR code or visit the SARM website.

Learn More

Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant Program

 

The Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant Program enables projects to reduce traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities in communities across Saskatchewan.

 

Approved projects are eligible to receive up to $100,000 per location in funding for infrastructure projects or on equipment and community outreach programs to help improve traffic safety.

 

Request guidelines and additional information from the PSE Program Administrator by emailing PSEProgram@sgi.sk.ca or calling 1-844-TLK-2SGI (1-844-855-2744), extension 6042, or by visiting the SGI website.

Learn More / Apply

Priority Areas of Focus

 

Projects need to address certain priority areas. Some examples of traffic safety initiatives that are eligible for grant support are:

 

  • impaired driving (alcohol, drugs)
  • distracted driving (cellphone, fatigue)
  • occupant protection (seatbelts)
  • intersection safety (crosswalks, lights, signage)
  • road-way based solutions
  • speed management (excluding camera equipment for photo speed enforcement programs)
  • aggressive driving
  • vulnerable road users (pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists)

 

Who Can Apply

 

Applicants representing Indigenous lands or territories and urban or rural municipalities are encouraged to apply with their traffic safety initiatives.

 

How to Apply

 

The second call for new applications this year will be open from July 1 to September 30, 2024.

Information & Resources

SARM Interactive Online Calendar - July 2024


View the SARM Interactive Online Calendar to access the full year on the SARM website. This version is updated regularly as new dates of interest and deadlines are identified and should be viewed as the most current.

Deadlines


July 1:


  • For submission of previous year's financial statement and auditor's report to the Ministry of Government Relations


July 10:


  • To remit and return monthly EPT funds
  • To remit taxes to SMHI, C&D and regional parks


July 15:


  • For CRA source deductions

Meetings



  • Committee Meeting: July 4
  • Committee Meeting: July 11
  • Board Meeting: July 15-17


Monthly Reminder(s)



  • MEPP employee and employer contributions through PLANet, as well as submitting payment is due within 15 days from the end of the pay period
  • Review waterworks rate policy and capital investment strategy; update if necessary


Special Days


  • Canada Day: July 1
SARM Interactive Online Calendar

Water Worries: Water Management and Drought Mitigation Planning in the Canadian Prairies


Join Prairie Sky Strategy for an engaging and informative webinar focused on water management and drought mitigation planning by provincial governments in the Canadian prairies. This session will address critical questions and provide a comprehensive overview of current strategies and future directions in the face of increasing water scarcity.


Key Questions Addressed:


  • What is the current status of water resources across the prairies and how does that compare to historical norms? How does the current situation compare to droughts in the past? What is being done in the prairies to prepare for drought and mitigate the effects of it if it gets worse? What kind of approaches can be employed (or employed more) to address the water shortage? How are the provinces cooperating or working together to address this issue? And much more.


Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the drought challenges facing the Canadian Prairies and the innovative mitigation strategies and plans being pursued. Register now to engage with experts, and share your perspectives on development of resilient water management practices.


Date: June 27, 2024

Time: 12:00 p.m.


Panelists Include:


  • Bill Huber, Vice-President - Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM)
  • Brad Saluk, Vice-President - Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM)
  • Hon. Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas - Government of Alberta
  • Hon. Whitney Issik, Senior Strategy Advisor, - Prairie Sky Strategy
Learn More / Register

Sharing the Journey

Stories of Mental Illness


The Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan's Sharing the Journey initiative is part of the Partnership Program. It provides presentations to communities across Saskatchewan that feature two speakers who live with schizophrenia or other mental illness who share their experiences of living with a mental illness and how they are active in their recovery, as well as a mental health advocate to cover more facts and figures. At the end of each presentation, the discussion will open to questions from the audience and a brief survey will be conducted.


If you're interested in booking a presentation in your community, please contact:


David Field

Rural Partnership Program Coordinator

P: 306-584-2369

E: david@schizophrenia.sk.ca.

Promotional Poster
Learn More

Field of STARS


Get your tickets now! The 7th annual Field of STARS campaign presented by Nutrien is taking place July 16-18, 2024.


Join STARS in their mission to provide critical care, anywhere by visiting us onsite at Ag in Motion from July 16-18 or purchasing your ticket to the Field of STARS event at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon on the evening of July 16.


Prepare for an unforgettable evening featuring a BBQ rib dinner, electrifying live and silent auctions, engaging games, and a captivating performance by The Washboard Union.



All proceeds from ticket sales contribute directly to the STARS mission of providing critical care, anywhere.

Get Your Tickets!
View Sponsorship Guide

STARS Year in Review

Year in Review (PDF)

Bio-Control Leafy Spurge Beetle

Collection Days: July 2-5, 2024


The SARM Plant Technical Advisors will be back at Besant Campground from July 2 to 5 for leafy spurge beetle collection. Everyone is welcome to come and collect leafy spurge beetles for release on their property to help control leafy spurge infestations.

Leafy Spurge Beetle Collection 2024 (PDF)

Co-op Housing Development Program

 

Access forgivable loans along with low-interest repayable loans to build rental co-operative housing. This program supports a new generation of non-profit co-operative housing.

Virtual Information Session


Join the CMHC for a 1-hour webinar on June 26 and 27 to learn more about the Co-op Housing Development Program, available tools and resources, and get answers to frequently asked questions.

Learn More / Register

Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) Program 


The Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) Program is a Ministry of Highways funded program, administered by SARM, and governed by a Program Management Board, which is made up of voting representatives of both organizations.

Feedback from RMs:


The RIRG Program Management Board received feedback from rural municipalities that the timing of intakes has been out of sync with the budgeting and planning cycles of rural municipalities. This has made it difficult for rural municipalities to plan their projects effectively.  The RIRG Program Management Board also received feedback that project announcements have sometimes been released too late in the spring or summer to complete the construction in that season. This adds frustration and unnecessary delays to project completion timelines. 

 

To address these legitimate concerns, the RIRG Program is moving to a standardized application intake and project announcement schedule that is intended to align with RM budgeting and planning cycles, as well as the cycles of the Provincial Government. 

Updates:


  • The next RIRG Program intake for road, bridge, and large diameter culvert projects will open in early September 2024 and remain open until mid-November 2024.  
  • It is intended that the project announcement for these applications will take place in January 2025. 

 

These changes will allow the rural municipalities to plan their projects during their budget season and have the best opportunity to know well in advance when intakes will be happening.

Rural Municipal Administrator Internship Program (MAIP)


Step into the role of internship supervision and shape the future one-on-one! The Rural Municipal Administrator Internship Program (MAIP) offers a unique opportunity for Class A or Superior A Rural Administrators to provide individualized training and foster professional competency in future rural municipal administrators by helping them attain the necessary competencies and required hours for their “Rural Class C certification” throughout the 52-week internship period.

Why Choose to be a MAIP Internship Supervisor?


  • Legacy Building: By investing in aspiring rural municipal administrators, you leave a lasting legacy of healthy local government in rural communities.
  • Tailored Development: Customize the internship experience to address specific skills and goals, ensuring maximum impact, offering practical guidance, feedback, and real-world insights that go beyond academic learning.
  • Leadership and Strategic Skill Building: Hone your leadership skills by actively participating in the growth and development of a future Administrator.
  • Financial Benefit: Upon approval, SARM will provide the selected host rural municipalities with a $17,000 grant intended to cost share the intern’s salary. The supervising administrator of record will also receive a $3,000 honorarium upon successfully completing the internship supervision.
Learn More / Apply

Contact:

Dustin Resch, Manager of Programs, at dresch@sarm.ca or 306.761.3945

Agricultural Water Management Funding

- Now Available


The Water Security Agency (WSA) is renewing the Agricultural Water Management Fund to support agricultural producers and local governments to develop water management projects. Since 2022, it helped 21 projects across the province to support the continued growth of a sustainable and resilient agricultural sector in Saskatchewan.


Applicants can receive up to $95,000 per project based on a cost-sharing approach. It can be used for qualified persons support, technical and engineering costs, and mitigation and rehabilitation works for agricultural water management projects.


This program is part of WSA's ongoing commitment to supporting the agricultural community in developing and maintaining responsible agricultural water management projects in Saskatchewan.

Learn More / Apply

Municipal Involvement in Regulated Child Care

Information Sessions


The Ministry of Education, Early Years Branch, is inviting you to participate in a live one-hour webinar on Municipal Involvement in Regulated Child Care.


The webinar is intended for municipalities to learn about regulated child care in Saskatchewan and gain an understanding of the role municipalities can play. To learn more about how your municipality can support child care development, visit saskatchewan.ca.


To accommodate schedules and support your participation, the live webinar will be delivered twice:


  • Thursday July 18 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 15 at 9:00 a.m.


Please register online by visiting  Municipal Involvement in Regulated Child Care prior to July 15, 2024. There is no cost to participate.


Participation capacity will be limited to 25 participants per session. A meeting link will be sent upon registration.

Learn More
Register for Webinar

Crop Report for the Period June 11 to June 17, 2024


Seeding is virtually complete, with only one per cent of acres unseeded in Saskatchewan. Unseeded acres are due to the frequent rainfall and excess moisture conditions in many regions.

Cooler temperatures and excess moisture conditions are causing delays to overall crop development. Fall cereals, spring wheat and oilseeds are behind normal development as compared to previous weeks. Warmer temperatures would be appreciated by producers to support crop advancement.


For many producers, this is still a stressful time of year and they are encouraged to take safety precautions in all the work they do. The Farm Stress Line can help by providing support for producers toll free at 1-800-667-4442.

Learn More

Hay Salvage & Ditch Mowing: Key Dates & Information

Hay Salvage

 

Hay is once again available to producers for salvage at no cost in provincial highway ditches during spring and summer months.

 

Before and including July 8, landowners or lessees nearest/adjacent to the ditch have the first option to cut or bale material, but after that day anyone can cut and bale without permission from the adjacent landowner or lessee, as long as no salvage operations have already begun. It is recommended that participants contact their local Ministry Office to provide contact information and limits on where they are salvaging hay to avoid potential disputes.

Ditch Mowing

 

The Ministry is working on its annual early mowing program along high traffic highways, which begins June 7 and will continue until July 15. Contractors cut a four-metre wide swath along shoulders adjacent to Highways 1, 7, 11, 16 and 39, along with portions of Highways 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10. During this time, mowing may be completed near some highway intersections and interchanges, railway crossings and tourism facilities.

 

Regular ditch mowing (full-width) will occur along all four-lane highways between July 15 and the fall months. Heavily travelled two-lane highways will receive a 12-metre cut. Secondary highways will receive an eight-metre cut. A four-metre-wide strip will be mowed adjacent to the other highways with additional mowing as required to ensure visibility and weed control. Progress is weather dependent.

Key Dates

 

  • June 7 to July 15: Mowing includes a four-metre shoulder cut adjacent to the road. Highways 1, 7, 11, 16 and 39, along with portions of Highways 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10. Some highway intersections may receive a full ditch cut to ensure good sightlines.
  • July 8: Prior to and including this date, a landowner or lessee nearest to a highway ditch has the first option to cut or bale hay. After this date, anyone may cut and bale hay or grass in a highway ditch without getting the permission of the adjacent landowner.
  • July 15 to Oct. 15: Contractors begin mowing the width of ditches along all four-lane highways. Heavily travelled two-lane highways will receive a 12-metre cut. Secondary highways will receive an eight-metre cut. All other highways get a four-metre cut adjacent to the highway shoulder.
  • Aug. 8: All hay bales must be removed from ditches or they may be removed and disposed of at the Ministry’s discretion.
Learn More

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 Latest News Release
Learn more about the Saskatchewan Health Human Resources Action Plan

Ministry of Government Relations - Municipalities Today June 2024



  1. New Election Resources for Citizens Running for Council
  2. Hay Salvage and Ditch Mowing
  3. Become Involved in Creating Regulated Child Care Centres
  4. Submission of 2023 Financial Statements – Extension of Time
  5. Ditch is not the Dump: Let’s Keep our Land Clean and Safe
  6. Clean Up Abandoned Impacted Sites through the Impacted Sites Fund

Municipalities Today is a web-based newsletter published monthly. It lists deadlines, training opportunities, services, and programs that may be of interest to Saskatchewan municipal administrators.

View Current Editions
View Past Editions

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

Looking to Hire:


RM of Montrose No. 315, Seasonal Maintenance Operator, Jul 4 - Close

RM of Hart Butte No. 11 & RM of Happy Valley No. 10, Joint Administrator, Jul 11 - Close

RM of Marquis No. 191, Grader Operator, Jul 20 - Close

RM of Morris No. 312, Administrator, Jul 20 - Close

RM of Good Lake No. 274, Administrator, Jul 26 - Close


Looking to Buy/Sell:


RM of Willner No. 253, For Sale: 2017 Highline Mower, Jun 27 - Close

RM of Progress No. 351, For Tender: 2014 CAT 140M AWD Motor Grader, Jul 10 - Close

RM of Tecumseh No. 65, For Tender: 1999 Dodge Ram 25000 Quad Cab SLT Laramie, Jul 20 - Close

RM of Grandview No. 349, For Tender: Gravel Crushing, Jul 21 - Close

RM of Birch Hills No. 460, For Tender: 2014 John Deere Grader, Jul 24 - Close

RM of Birch Hills No. 460, For Tender: 2015 Capital 1 - 3 Function Snow Wing, Jul 24 - Close

RM of Birch Hills No. 460, For Tender: 2016 Capital I Gravel Reclaimer/Sloper, Jul 24 - 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


Supplier Highlight

Gravel Pit Measuring and Data Processing Program

 

Drones are becoming increasingly important when measuring gravel and are much more cost effective than manual measurements. The SARM Gravel Pit Measuring and Data Processing Program can give you volume measurements that you can trust along with the annotation report delivered within 48 hours.

Learn More

Register Now for the Community and Land Use

Planning Module! 



The Community and Land Use Planning module will cover a variety of topics including: the roles and responsibilities of council, administration, and the public; the creation, adoption, and amendment process for Official Community Plans and Zoning Bylaws; the subdivision process; servicing agreements; the development permit process; the development appeal board process; enforcing bylaws; the building permit process as well as regional planning.

Learn More / Register

Registration


This module is now offered online through Southeast College. To register, please visit MLDP.ca or call 1-866-999-7372.


Fees


$75.00 + GST

SARM Webinars

 

SARM offers webinars for members. Not only can you participate in these live, but you can also have them as a resource to view again when it’s convenient. Past topics have included:

 

  • Tax Enforcement
  • Municipal Investment Solutions
  • Drainage Products and Solutions
  • Saskatchewan's Property Assessment System
  • Combating Crime in Saskatchewan
  • Pest Control Product Compliance
  • Municipal Leaders' Roles and Responsibilities
  • And more
SARM Webinars Library

Future Topics


We want to hear from you!

Let us know what you would like to hear about in the coming year by submitting suggested webinar topics through the following form.

Submit Topics

SARM Out and About

SARM Vice President Bill Huber attended the grand opening of the RM of Marriott & RM of Pleasant Valley office in Rosetown yesterday. Congratulations to RMs 317 & 288! We hope this new building serves you and your municipalities well for many years to come.

That concludes the Division 4 meeting! Thank you to the presenters & RMs who participated in the 2024 SARM June Division Meetings this week. These meetings provided opportunities for many RMs to connect with the SARM Board & engage in discussions with experts on priority topics.

#RuralMatters

SARM News Releases (NR)

SARM's June Division Meetings

- June 5, 2024

View News Release
SARM News Archive

Last week, the SARM office hosted its annual Rural MAIP Leadership Workshop! Thank you to everyone who attended, and a big thank you to our facilitator Tricia Flaman! For more information about the Rural MAIP, please visit the SARM website.

Rural MAIP

The SARM Executive met with Saskatchewan Minister Everett Hindley & Minster Tim McLeod on many important topics related to health resources in SK including the VHH, urgent care facilities, hospital vacancies & shortages, mental health initiatives in rural SK, & more.

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