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Virtual Mayors Summer School
August 24-25
SUMA is excited to bring back summer school exclusively for Saskatchewan mayors! Wherever you are this summer, be a part of this unique experience that will build your leadership, knowledge, and confidence in your role.
This two-day virtual workshop happening August 24 and 25 will include:
- intriguing speakers;
- engaging discussions; and
- exercises that are guaranteed to strengthen your ability to lead your council and your community.
Register by July 23 to save $30 and be entered to win a complimentary registration.
After July 23, registration is $150/person.
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Event Insight
From webinars and workshops to regional meetings and Convention, we're working to make sure there is never a dull moment in your calendar. We would like to know:
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What is the best way to tell you about our events?
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The event listing on www.suma.org
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Be Counted - Complete Your Census
It has been a challenging year for all Canadians, and the census might seem like another thing on our to-do list. However, completing the census is important. Census data helps governments at all levels plan for libraries, schools, transportation, community centres, and recreational activities. Data from the 2021 Census will be even more crucial, because it will help to evaluate the impact of the pandemic and to better plan for the future.
Click the poster for a printable version that you can post in your community to encourage your residents to complete their census if they haven't done so already.
Census questionnaires can be completed at www.census.gc.ca using the access code sent in the mail. For help, or a paper (or alternate format) questionnaire, call the Census Help Line at
1-855-340-2021.
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Additional $50 Million For Rural Fibre Initiative
Sasktel is investing an additional $50 million in its Rural Fibre Initiative, bringing the total investment to $100 million.
The extra investment means 24 more Saskatchewan communities will have fibre optic broadband by the end of 2023. Originally announced in December, the Rural Fibre Initiative is a multi-phase program that will bring SaskTel infiNET service to more than 40 communities by the end of 2023.
Phase 1 - Balgonie, Biggar, Langham, and Pilot Butte. Construction has begun in all four communities, and SaskTel anticipates that the majority of homes and businesses will be fibre ready by the end of March 2022.
Phase 2 - Kindersley, Meadow Lake, and Rosetown. Construction will begin in all three communities later this year.
Phase 3 - Canora, Carlyle, Esterhazy, Fort Qu'Appelle, Hudson Bay, Indian Head, Kamsack, La Ronge, Lumsden, Maple Creek, Moosomin, Shaunavon, Watrous, and Wynyard. SaskTel plans to begin construction in these communities in 2022.
Phase 4 - SaskTel will spend $50 million to bring fibre to 24 additional communities.
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More than $81.2 Million Announced for 23 Infrastructure Projects
The towns of Esterhazy and Unity, the city of Meadow Lake, and other communities will benefit from improved access to reliable potable water services. Wastewater treatment facilities will be upgraded and expanded in the city of Humboldt and towns of Oxbow and Grenfell. Other communities will benefit from projects that deal with the decommissioning of landfills or flood prevention projects. Recreation projects include upgrades to the Rexentre Arena in Fort Qu'Appelle.
Twenty of the 23 infrastructure projects are in Saskatchewan hometowns. See the full list of projects receiving funding.
The projects are being funded under the Community, Culture, Recreation and Green Infrastructure Streams of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Canada is investing $44.3 million in the projects, and the Government of Saskatchewan is contributing more than $36.9 million. Contributions by recipients toward their respective projects are $29.5 million.
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Saskatchewan's New Construction Code Act
In May, the Construction Code Act received third reading in the Legislative Assembly. The new act, which will replace The Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Act is expected to be proclaimed on January 1, 2022.
How does the new act impact municipalities?
- allows municipalities to register building official orders on the land registry of the building;
- prescribes a default building bylaw which applies to any municipality that does not have an approved building bylaw;
- requires municipalities to annually provide the name and licence number of appointed building officials to the chief codes administrator;
- gives municipalities the ability to charge deposits or bonds in connection with a building permit application, subject to the regulations; and
- allows municipalities to add costs and expenses to enforce the Construction Code Act to a building's property taxes.
Consultations on the regulations are set to begin this summer.
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Nearly $725,000 for 23
Targeted Sector Support Projects
Twenty-three projects have been approved through the Targeted Sector Support (TSS) Initiative.
Nearly $725,000 will be distributed for the projects that build capacity and foster inter-municipal cooperation.
TSS projects are funded under one of four categories: dispute resolution and relationship building; capacity building; regional cooperation; and municipal transition.
Examples of the approved projects include:
- Drafting a memorandum of understanding for regional planning and co-operation.
- Developing joint official community plans and zoning bylaws.
- Training for elected and appointed municipal officials on municipal governance.
- Completing an emergency measures organization plan.
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New Conflict of Interest Resources for Municipalities
The Ministry of Government Relations has created updated resources on conflict of interest. Materials now reflect the most recent changes to legislation, which aligns the definition of a conflict of interest closer with common law.
- Module 1: What is a conflict of interest?
- Module 2: What do you, as an elected official, do if you have a conflict of interest?
- Module 3: Supporting documents for conflict of interest.
The 20-minute modules can be found on the Conflict of Interest Resources page and the Council Training page. In each module, participants have the opportunity to take a short quiz, and if passed, a certificate will be generated. This certificate could be used by council members to signal their commitment to good governance and the proper handling of conflicts of interest in their municipality.
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Webinar - Air Management in Rinks and Recreation Spaces
A lot has been learned through the COVID-19 pandemic for the recreation industry including the need to review environmental cleaning and disinfecting practices, and overall building health. As Saskatchewan moves into higher states of reopening, the recreation industry needs to ensure it meets or exceeds the public’s expectation of safe spaces. As the science evolves around the transmission of COVID and its variants, it is becoming more apparent the virus is spread by airborne transmission.
On July 14, from 9:00-10:30 a.m., the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, in partnership with Cimco Refrigeration, is hosting a webinar on ventilation and indoor air quality for rinks and recreation spaces. The webinar will talk about ways to improve indoor air quality through utilization of existing building ventilation and alternatives when a building has little or no ventilation. The webinar will also address the lack of ventilation systems for smaller community rinks and what options are still available.
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SUMA Executive, CMC, Meet with the Honourable Jim Carr
On Thursday, SUMA's Executive Committee, as well as members of the City Mayors' Caucus (CMC), met with the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister and Special Representative for the Prairies.
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During the meeting with the Executive Committee, Minister Carr discussed his vision for engagement with Saskatchewan, and with SUMA in particular, and how we can work together. |
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During the meeting with the CMC, Minister Carr and representatives from Saskatchewan's cities discussed ways to support the energy sector in western Canada, as well as diversification and job creation. |
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Town Hall with the Saskatchewan Health Authority
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is hosting a COVID-19 virtual town hall today at 3:00 p.m. During the town hall, the SHA will provide updates on COVID-19 activity in the province and the vaccine strategy. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.
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All Residents 12+ Eligible for Second Doses
All Saskatchewan residents 12 years and older who have received their first dose of vaccine are now eligible to receive their second dose. You are eligible if it has been 28 days since you received your first vaccination.
With the Delta variant circulating in Saskatchewan, it remains recommended that all residents receive second dose vaccinations as soon as eligible.
As advised by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on June 17, Pfizer and Moderna (mRNA) vaccines are interchangeable for second doses. Residents who received Pfizer or Moderna as their first dose are advised to take whichever of those two vaccines is available to them when they become eligible for their second dose. If an individual received AstraZeneca as a first dose, they may also receive either Pfizer or Moderna for a second dose. Both mRNA vaccines have been approved by Health Canada as safe and effective and allow residents to become fully vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.
Vaccination appointments can be booked through the Saskatchewan Health Authority online at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 or by calling 1-833-SaskVax (1-833-727-5829).
A map of participating pharmacies across the province is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-pharmacies. This online tool includes links to pharmacy booking websites and provides details on the vaccine brand being offered at each location.
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All Public Health Measures to Be Lifted July 11
With more than 70 per cent of residents over the age of 18 having received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the full implementation of Step 3 of the Re-Opening Roadmap will occur on July 11.
On July 11, all public health orders will be removed. This includes the removal of the province-wide mandatory masking order, and the removal of limits on events and gathering sizes.
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Classifieds
Positions Available:
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Town of Foam Lake: CAO (When filled)
Have a position to fill or an item to sell? Submit your ad on our website.
Find the latest listings by visiting the Classifieds section of our website, under the Programs and Services tab.
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Grants
Upcoming Deadlines:
Other:
For a full listing of grants, check the Grants section of our website under the Resources tab.
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Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association
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