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October 13, 2026
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| | In this edition of the Rural Dart... | |
- Advocacy
- Strategic Communications
- SAMA 2026 Board Elections
- 2027 Lieutenant Governor's Award Nominations
- Insurance & Benefits
- Legal Services
- Programs
- Rural Municipal Administration Scholarship
- Member Purchasing
- Community Planning
- Finance & Administration
- SARM Classifieds
- Member Services
- HR Services for SARM Members
| | - Public Engagement Toward a National Water Security Strategy
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- Adoption of the 2025 National Fire Code of Canada
- Announcements
- Crop Report for the Period September 29 to October 5, 2026
- 2027 Saskatchewan Agriculture Student Scholarship Now Accepting Applications
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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’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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Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA) 2026 Board Elections
- Looking for Two Rural Representatives
Submission Deadline:
October 21, 2026
SARM is looking for elected officials who would do an outstanding job representing rural Saskatchewan on the SAMA Board.
Candidates will be elected by delegates at the 2026 SARM Midterm Convention for a three-year term and may be reappointed to subsequent terms.
Those interested should submit a completed Nomination Form (to Laurel Feltin - lfeltin@sarm.ca) by 5 PM on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. A confirmation email with further instructions will be sent.
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The seven-member SAMA Board of Directors is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council and consists of:
- three members named by the Ministry of Government Relations including the Board Chair;
- two members named by the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM);
- one member named by the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) for urban and northern municipalities under 30,000;
- one member named by SUMA for cities with a population exceeding 30,000
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Lieutenant Governor's Award for
Outstanding Service to Rural Saskatchewan
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Do you know a reeve, councillor, or administrator with an inspiring story?
Nominations for the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service to Rural Saskatchewan are now open!
The 2027 nomination period runs until December 31, 2026.
To submit a nomination or request a nomination form, please contact:
Kathleen Israel,
Selection Committee Secretary
executivecoordinator@sarm.ca or 306.761.3731
2301 Windsor Park Road,
Regina, Saskatchewan S4V 3A4
To learn more about this award and how to submit a nomination, refer to the LGA Guidelines Document linked below or visit the SARM website.
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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. | | |
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Rural Municipal Administration Scholarship
Apply by October 15
Because SARM understands the vital role administrators play in municipal governance in rural Saskatchewan, we developed the SARM Rural Municipal Administration Scholarship Program to help support administrators.
The scholarship is for students enrolled in the Local Government Authority (LGA) Certificate Program at the University of Regina or the Municipal Administration Business Diploma Program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Three scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded annually, paid at the end of the completed semester.
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The application deadline is October 15 each year and must be supported by confirmation of enrollment during the current year.
For questions, contact Dustin Resch, Director of Capacity Building and Programs, at dresch@sarm.ca or 306.761.3945.
| | | 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 Coulee No. 136, Administrator, Oct 13 - Close
RM of Leask No. 464, Assistant Administrator, Oct 23 - Close
RM of Perdue No. 346, Grader Operator, Oct 30 - Close
RM of Biggar No. 347, Administrative Assistant, Nov 2 - Close
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Looking to Buy/Sell:
RM of Excelsior No. 166, Tampo Sheepsfoot Packer, Nov 6 - Close
RM of Excelsior No. 166, Novadisc Top Mower, Nov 6 - 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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Public Engagement Toward a National Water Security Strategy
The Government of Canada is inviting Canadians to share their views to inform the development of Canada’s first National Water Security Strategy.
Engagement feedback will inform the National Water Security Strategy, which could include elements such as a vision, priorities, and key actions. Please note that this engagement is not a consultation on specific legislative or regulatory changes.
All survey responses and written submissions are welcome until October 25, 2026.
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Adoption of the 2025 National Fire Code of Canada
Throughout the development of the 2025 National Fire Code of Canada (NFC), the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) remained actively engaged in the national code development process. During the 2025 code cycle, SPSA distributed proposed code change forms to Saskatchewan fire chiefs and other stakeholders for review and encouraged comments and recommendations to be submitted directly to Codes Canada. This collaborative approach helped ensure that the interests and practical experiences of Saskatchewan's fire service community were represented throughout the national consultation process.
Recognizing the importance of the changes introduced in the 2025 NFC, SPSA, in partnership with Building and Technical Standards, Ministry of Government Relations, will be hosting provincial information sessions to provide an overview of the 2025 NFC and discuss its implementation in Saskatchewan.
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Information Sessions
- Regina – October 20, 2026
- Saskatoon – October 26, 2026
Additional information regarding registration, venues, and session agendas will be distributed in the coming weeks.
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In addition, SPSA is making arrangements to host information sessions with both the
Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs (SAFC) and the Saskatchewan Volunteer Fire Fighters Association (SVFFA). These sessions will focus specifically on the operational, inspection, and enforcement implications arising from the adoption of the 2025 National Fire Code of Canada.
| | SARM is now on Bluesky! Follow us here: @sarm.ca | | | | |
