September 1, 2026


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In this edition of the Rural Dart...

SARM


  • Advocacy
  • 2026 SARM Midterm Resolution Deadline
  • Strategic Communications
  • Insurance & Benefits
  • Legal Services
  • Programs
  • Member Purchasing
  • Community Planning
  • Finance & Administration
  • SARM Classifieds
  • Member Services

Federal Government


  • Rail Safety Improvement Program

Provincial Government


  • Strychnine Training Now Available
  • Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant Program
  • Announcements
  • Time to Prune Your Elms: Annual Ban Ends August 31
  • Crop Report for the Period August 18 to 24, 2026
  • Saskatchewan Prioritizes Canadian Ownership and Sovereignty in New Data Centre Framework
  • 12 More Communities Added to Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive Program

Other


  • Webinar Session - From Risk to Resilience: Funding Municipal Climate Action
  • Saskatchewan Cattle Association (SCA) Fall 2026 District Meetings

SARM

 
 

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.

 

2026 SARM Midterm

Resolution Deadline

 

The deadline to submit resolutions for the 2026 SARM Midterm Convention is Sunday, October 4, 2026, 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 using the fillable submission form.

 

Please email resolutions to resolutions@sarm.ca.

 

Refer to the Resolution Writing Tips One Pager and the Resolution Submission Form linked below for details.

 
 

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.

 
 
 

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.

 
 
 

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.

 

SARM Classifieds


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 Poplar Valley No. 12, Mower Operator, Sept 5 - Close

RM of Big Stick No. 141 & Village of Golden Prairie, Municipal Administrator, Sept 6 - Close

RM of Spiritwood No. 496, Assistant Administrator, Sept 11 - Close

RM of McKillop No. 220, Public Works Equipment Operator, Sept 12 - Close

RM of Willow Creek No. 458, Public Works Equipment Operator, Sept 13 - Close

Town of La Ronge, Director of Public Works, Sept 13 - Close

RM of Tecumseh No. 65, Grader/General Operator, Sept 13 - Close

RM of Vanscoy No. 345, Grader Operator, Sept 14 - Close

RM of Sherwood No. 159, ECCWA, Contract Executive Director & Administrator, Sept 15 - Close

Town of Swan River, MB, Chief Administrative Officer, Sept 17 - Close

RM of Tramping Lake No. 380, Foreman, Sept 20 - Close

RM of Blaine Lake No. 434, Seasonal Maintenance/Equipment Operator, Sept 23 - Close

 

Looking to Buy/Sell:


There are no active buy/sell ads.

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.

 
 
 

SARM’s Member Services Team is dedicated to providing valuable services that meet the specific needs of SARM's member rural municipalities.

 
 

Federal Government

 

Rail Safety Improvement Program

 

Transport Canada's Rail Safety Improvement Program (RSIP) provides federal funding for projects that improve safety at high-risk rail crossings and along rail lines.

 

The program supports investments in infrastructure, technologies, research, education, and public awareness to help reduce collisions, derailments, injuries, and fatalities.

 

Infrastructure, Technology, and Research Stream

 

Applications for funding will be accepted until September 4, 2026.

This stream provides funding for projects that improve safety on and around rail property and rail lines. The available funding for the Infrastructure, Technology, and Research stream is up to $52.7 million over three fiscal years, beginning in 2026-27.

 

Provincial Government

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Announcements


 

Time to Prune Your Elms: Annual Ban Ends August 31


Starting September 1, Saskatchewan residents can safely prune elm trees again as the annual pruning ban comes to an end. 

 

Crop Report for the Period August 18 to 24, 2026


It was a relatively warm week in Saskatchewan, with higher daytime temperatures and cooler evenings. Harvest progress is at 11 per cent, significantly behind the five- and 10-year averages of 25 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively. 

 

Saskatchewan Prioritizes Canadian Ownership and Sovereignty in New Data Centre Framework


The Government of Saskatchewan released its Data Centre Framework to help guide future investment opportunities, support economic growth and ensure Saskatchewan remains a competitive destination for private sector investment and development.

 

12 More Communities Added to Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive Program


Saskatchewan is expanding the Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive (RRRI) program to include 12 additional communities, further strengthening efforts to recruit and retain health care professionals in areas facing ongoing staffing pressures.

 
 

Other

 

Webinar Session

From Risk to Resilience: Funding Municipal Climate Action


Learn how municipalities can access Green Municipal Fund support through the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative to assess climate risks, develop adaptation plans, test project feasibility, and implement resilience-building solutions.


This session will highlight available funding streams and incentives for regional collaboration, reconciliation, and equity-focused work. It is designed for elected officials, municipal administrators, and staff looking to strengthen local climate resilience. Come prepared with a few project ideas. There will be time to ask questions and brainstorm solutions.

Event Details


Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CST

Saskatchewan Cattle Association (SCA)

Fall 2026 District Meetings


The SCA Fall District meetings provide an opportunity to connect with fellow producers, hear updates on industry issues and participate in Association business. All meetings will take place between September 24 and October 7, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at locations throughout the province.


These meetings provide beef producers with an opportunity to connect with fellow producers, learn about current industry issues, provide feedback, and engage with SCA leadership.


Meeting details can be found through the link below.

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