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July 14, 2026
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| | In this edition of the Rural Dart... | |
- Advocacy
- SARM Resolution Response
- Strategic Communications
- In Memoriam/Retirement Announcement Submissions
- Insurance & Benefits
- Legal Services
- Programs
- Member Purchasing
- Community Planning
- Finance & Administration
- SARM Classifieds
- Member Services
- HR Services for SARM Members
| | - Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) - Local Impact Stream in the Prairie Provinces
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- Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant Program
- Strychnine Training Now Available
- Announcements
- Crop Report for the Period June 30 to July 6, 2026
- Find Moments Made in Nature During Sask Parks Week - July 12 to 18
| | - Flooding Resources - Ombudsman Saskatchewan
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SARM’s Advocacy Team, at the direction of the SARM Board of Directors, meets and speaks with members and outside agencies on issues important to RMs, including bringing concerns forth at the provincial and federal levels.
SARM, through its Act of Incorporation, is mandated to work on files of importance to rural municipalities (RM) and agriculture producers.
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SARM Resolution Response
SARM has received a response from Public Safety Canada pertaining to a resolution passed at the 2025 SARM Midterm Convention. Click the link below to review the response.
| | SARM’s Strategic Communications Team leads the initiatives, events, and public-facing components of the work we do for RMs. Strategic Communications is responsible for our conventions, the Rural Dart, Rural Sheaf, Rural Councillor, webinars, and many other events and initiatives. | | |
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In Memoriam / Retirement
Announcement Submissions
The deadline to submit in memoriam and retirement announcements for the upcoming Fall 2026 issue of the Rural Councillor is July 16, 2026. Any late submissions will be included in the Winter 2026 issue.
Submission Details:
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Submit your announcements through our online submission forms: sarm.ca/events/awards-and-recognition/submissions/
- Photos should be submitted in JPG or PNG format. Please send originals, not copies that have been scanned from printed documents or taken off websites.
- Text write-up can be up to 50 words.
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SARM’s Insurance & Benefits Team administers and
facilitates various SARM and external partner insurance and
benefit products, including SARM’s fidelity bond, liability, and
property insurance plans, the SARM Benefits Plan, and external group benefits plans.
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| SARM’s Legal Services Team principally represents rural municipalities in legal proceedings where a SARM insurance plan (e.g. Liability Self-Insurance Plan) provides coverage. The team also provides in-house legal services to SARM’s other departments and Board of Directors. In addition, the team provides legal services to individual RMs, which can include researching legal issues, drafting opinions, and drafting agreements, on a fee-for-service basis and as time permits. | | |
| SARM’s Programs Team engages with provincial and federal governments, industry leaders, and program partners, as well as other stakeholders, to effectively deliver SARM programs. | | |
| SARM's Member Purchasing Team provides group purchasing and procurement advising services to save member municipalities money and time through the buying and procuring processes with the goal of being the first stop for all municipalities’ purchasing and procurement needs. | | |
| SARM’s Community Planning Team is driven by a proactive and collaborative approach with municipalities to support growth, certainty for investment and landowners, and the protection and promotion of what already exists in the community. | | |
| SARM’s Finance and Administration Team provides the budgeting, accounting, and reporting functions for SARM, the Insurance and Benefits Funds, all externally funded programs, and the Tax Loss Compensation Trust Funds administered by SARM. In addition, the team provides administrative assistance performing reception duties that include being the first point of contact for all guests and SARM members both in-person as well as virtually by phone and email. | | |
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SARM Classifieds
The following municipalities/towns/villages have requested the information below to be distributed and will be billed for using this service.
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Looking to Hire:
RM of The Gap No. 39 & Village of Ceylon, Administrative Assistant Joint Office, July 16 - Close
Town of Milestone & RM of Caledonia No. 99, Office Clerk/Administrative Assistant, Jul 17 - Close
RM of Sasman No. 336, Pub Works, July 24 - Close
RM of Bayne No. 371, Operator, July 30 - Close
RM of Corman Park No. 344, Planner 2, July 31 - Close
RM of Eyebrow No. 193, Seasonal Grader/Mower Operator, Aug 13 - Close
RM of Eyebrow No. 193, Full-Time Grader Operator, Aug 13 - Close
RM of Excelsior No. 166, Administrator, August 31 - Close
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Looking to Buy/Sell:
RM of Sliding Hills No. 273, Grader Mount Mulcher, July 25 - Close
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SARM Classifieds Submissions
Ad postings for the SARM Classifieds can be submitted
through our online submission forms. For questions, contact 306.757.3577 or sarm@sarm.ca.
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| SARM’s Member Services Team is dedicated to providing valuable services that meet the specific needs of SARM's member rural municipalities. | | |
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HR Services for SARM Members
SARM now offers Human Resources consulting services to members across Saskatchewan. We understand that this is a need for many RMs, and we are excited to offer advice and support on a wide range of HR issues. RM’s can access services including advice on people issues, hiring, terminations, performance management, compensation, recruitment, retention, change management, conflict resolution, training and many other HR related issues.
Our new HR service is being offered through our partner Knibbs HR Consulting. Knibbs HR is a Métis-owned Saskatchewan firm that has been supporting organizations since 2002 with practical, people-first HR solutions rooted in respect, clarity, and partnership. Their work helps organizations bring strategy, culture, and people systems into alignment while strengthening the internal confidence and capability of leaders and teams. Known for their objectivity, compassion, and actionability, Knibbs HR explains the “why,” shares knowledge generously, and leaves workplaces more equipped than when they arrived. Whether developing HR tools, guiding difficult conversations, shaping culture, or coaching leaders through change, they remain grounded in practical professionalism. Learn more at www.knibbs.ca.
This HR Service principally provides rural municipalities with advice on people issues. Our HR Service also works in collaboration with our Legal Services team, or your usual legal counsel, to provide holistic advice and opinions when employment matters necessitate.
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Fees:
- $230 per hour for HR Consulting
- $95 per hour for Administrative and Support Services
How to Access Services:
If you have a human resources inquiry or require HR services, you can contact: hr@sarm.ca.
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Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF)
– Local Impact Stream in the Prairie Provinces
The Government of Canada is moving quickly to build the community infrastructure our country needs. Building a strong Canada starts with building strong communities.
The Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) is a cornerstone of the Government of Canada’s plan to build Canada strong – today and for generations to come to support new and renewed public infrastructure starting in 2026-27.
Eligible Projects
Contributions under the Local Impact Stream will normally be $250,000 to $1 million per project.
Eligible projects for the Local Impact Stream will involve building or improving community infrastructure that is accessible to the public (i.e., access is not primarily limited to paid membership) and has economic, social, and/or environmental benefits for the broader community or region.
This is the final week for the first intake of BCSF funding. The application portal closes at 12 p.m. MDT on Friday, July 17, 2026.
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Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant Program
The program provides up to $100,000 (per location) to municipalities and Indigenous land or territories. The goal of this fund is to stimulate and support local, collaborative action that will increase traffic safety awareness. Local traffic initiatives will help reduce collisions, traffic injuries and fatalities within Saskatchewan.
The program began in 2019 and uses funds from photo speed enforcement tickets.
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How to Apply
To apply for the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant, please visit the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Online Portal. You’ll be prompted to create an account for your organization. Once you’ve logged on, click “Apply”. If you need any assistance, contact the PSE Program Administrator by emailing PSEProgram@sgi.sk.ca or calling
1.844.855.2744, extension 6042.
The application deadline is September 30, 2026.
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Strychnine Training Now Available
Producers in the 208 RMs eligible for Emergency Use of strychnine can register for online training through Saskatchewan’s Strychnine Stewardship Program.
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The 90-minute course is mandatory to access two per cent liquid strychnine for targeted RGS control. Early completion of training is recommended to allow sufficient time for records to be shared with RM offices and for users to be registered when product becomes available.
Training can be accessed on the SARM website.
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While initial strychnine supplies will be limited this spring, those interested are encouraged to complete training ahead of the recommended late summer application window, July 15 to Sept. 1.
For more on the program, including a list of participating RMs and information on product distribution, see Saskatchewan.ca/RGS-Control.
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Flooding Resources
Ombudsman Saskatchewan
The Office of the Ombudsman of Saskatchewan has compiled a list of agencies and mental health supports for municipalities experiencing flooding.
Click the link below to access the full list of available resources.
| | SARM is now on Bluesky! Follow us here: @sarm.ca | | | | |
