Rural Dart

April 22, 2025

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Municipal Legislation Consultation Update

Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations

The Municipalities Act, The Cities Act, and The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010 form the foundational legislative framework for all municipalities in the province. These acts provide the necessary powers and authority for council decisions, policies, and bylaws, while outlining municipal responsibilities.

In the summer of 2024, the Ministry of Government Relations initiated a comprehensive review of this legislative framework, focusing on The Cities Act, The Municipalities Act, and The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010. The primary objective of this review is to identify potential amendments that could enhance municipal governance.

Survey

Report

As a part of the consultation process, the Ministry of Government Relations conducted 13 online public surveys in late 2024. The results of these surveys are now available for review through the link below:

Download the Report

Additional Feedback

At the 2025 SARM Annual Convention, the Ministry of Government Relations encouraged municipalities to provide any additional feedback they might have. If you have further comments or suggestions, please share them with SARM so they can be relayed appropriately to the Ministry of Government Relations by emailing consultations@sarm.ca.

Thank you to all rural municipalities, councilors, and administrators who participated in the surveys and continue to contribute to this ongoing consultation process.

Your Voice

Notice of Consultation:

Proposed Changes to

The Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Act

The Ministry of Energy and Resources (ER) is consulting with stakeholders on proposed changes to The Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Act (SRACA). The amendments aim to help companies acquire surface rights for wells and other infrastructure used for injecting and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) underground.

Stakeholders are invited to review and give written comments on the proposed legislative amendments by May 16, 2025. The Ministry will review this feedback, which may also be considered by the Legislature of Saskatchewan at a future date.

Summary of Proposed Changes

Featured amendments proposed for the SRACA are intended to support carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects in Saskatchewan. The amendments will do this by establishing a “right of entry” for surface infrastructure that is used to inject and store CO2 at a subsurface CO2 storage site. Such sites include wells and facilities, access roads, power lines, flow lines and service lines. Further details on proposed changes are attached to this notice as Appendix A.

Please note that the SRACA does not apply to First Nations reserve lands. For surface access rights on First Nations for resource exploration and development, companies must obtain surface use contracts, which are approved by the First Nation’s council and administered by Indian Oil and Gas Canada (IOGC).

Please direct any written comments or questions to the ER Service Desk at er.servicedesk@gov.sk.ca.

The deadline for submitting written comments is May 16, 2025.

Review Proposed Changes

Deadlines

Targeted Sector Support Initiative

The Targeted Sector Support (TSS) Initiative is a cost-shared grant program that uses a portion of Municipal Revenue Sharing ($1.5 million per fiscal year) to support projects that strengthen municipalities’ core operational capabilities through increased regional cooperation.

Projects under this program are intended to assist in supporting more efficient and effective municipal service delivery, and enhanced governance and administrative capacity in Saskatchewan. Partnering municipalities can apply for up to 75 per cent on eligible project costs to strengthen their core municipal responsibilities.

The TSS Steering Committee will be accepting applications for funding until April 30, 2025.

Learn More / Apply

Information & Resources

Updates on WSA Initiatives Impacting Rural Saskatchewan

Join SARM and the Water Security Agency (WSA) for a webinar to learn about key developments and next steps on several major initiatives that impact Saskatchewan’s rural communities. We’ll begin with a look at the Westside Irrigation Project, highlight the Agriculture Water Management Strategy and provide an overview of the Aquatic Habitat Protection Program. We look forward to sharing these updates, answering your questions, and hearing your feedback.

Take advantage of the opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and provide input into these projects that will shape the future of water management in our province.

Date: May 29, 2025

Time: 10-11:00 a.m.

Learn More / Register

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

Looking to Hire:

RM of Huron No. 223, Grader Operator/Equipment Operator, Apr 23 - Close

RM of Blaine Lake No. 434, Maintenance/Equipment Operator, Apr 25 - Close

RM of Livingston No. 331, Mower Operator, Apr 29 - Close

RM of Orkney No. 244, Equipment Operator, Apr 29 - Close

RM of Elmsthorpe No. 100, Equipment Operator, Apr 30 - Close

RM of Kindersley No. 290, Administrator, Apr 30 - Close

Town of Grenfell, Office Clerk, Apr 30 - Close

RM of Lake Johnston No. 102, Administrator, Apr 30 - Close

RM of Livingston No. 331, Administrator, May 2 - Close

Town of Rouleau, Foreman, May 4 - Close

RM of Newcombe No. 260, Heavy Equipment Operator, May 10 - Close

RM of Fertile Valley No. 285, Grader Operator, May 11 - Close

RM of Duck Lake No. 463, Public Works Foreman, May 15 - Close

RM of Milden No. 286, Equipment Operator, May 15 - Close

RM of Newcombe No. 260, Administrator, May 30 - Close

RM of Eagle Creek No. 376, Administrator, May 31 - Close

RM of White Valley No. 49, Grader Operator, May 31 - Close

Looking to Buy/Sell:

RM of Milden No. 286, 2015 John Deere 6170M, May 30 - Close

SARM Classifieds

SARM Classifieds Submissions

Ad postings for the SARM Classifieds can be submitted through the online submission forms. For questions, contact 306.757.3577 or sarm@sarm.ca.

Submit a Classifieds Ad

Agricultural Water Management Funding Now Available

The Water Security Agency (WSA) announced the Agricultural Water Management Fund is open for applications in 2025. The fund supports agricultural producers and local governments to develop water management projects.

Budget Commitments Include Targeted Investments for Safer Communities

The Government of Saskatchewan is reinforcing its commitment to delivering safer communities and neighbourhoods through new and continued investments in the 2025-26 Budget.