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June 2, 2026
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| | In this edition of the Rural Dart... | |
- Advocacy
- Strategic Communications
- Webinar: Return to Work After Medical and Other Leaves - Practical Guidance for RMs
- 2027 Lieutenant Governor's Award Nominations Now Open!
- Insurance & Benefits
- Legal Services
- Programs
- Member Purchasing
- Community Planning
- Finance & Administration
- SARM Classifieds
- Member Services
- HR Services for SARM Members
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Proposed Changes to The Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Act
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Proposed Changes to The Mineral Resources Act, 1985
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Proposed Changes to The Oil and Gas Conservation Act
- Strychnine Training Now Available
- Announcements
- SPSA Fire Ban Revised
- Saskatchewan Reinforces Trade Relationships in China
- Crop Report for the Period May 19 to 25, 2026
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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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Webinar: Return to Work After Medical and Other Leaves - Practical Guidance for RMs
Join SARM and Knibbs HR Consulting for an information session on managing the employee return-to-work process.
RM administrators often manage employee leaves and returns to work with limited time, small teams, and real operational pressures. This practical webinar will provide a clear, plain-language framework for supporting employees returning after medical or other leaves while managing privacy, safety, accommodation, documentation, and workplace expectations. Participants will leave with practical steps they can use to support a safe and respectful return-to-work process.
Date: June 24, 2026
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Speakers: Stephen Eger – Managing Partner, Knibbs HR Consulting
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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. | | |
| 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 Colonsay No. 342, Patrol Operator, June 6 - Close
RM of Winslow No. 319, Foreman, June 8 - Close
RM of Corman Park No. 344, Finance & Contracts Coordinator, June 10 - Close
RM of Corman Park No. 344, Economic Development Officer, June 11 - Close
RM of Biggar No. 347, Equipment Operator, June 21 - Close
RM of Meota No. 468, Grader Operator, June 21 - Close
RM of Meota No. 468, Mower Operator, June 21 - Close
Town of Balcarres, Chief Administrative Officer, June 27 - Close
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Looking to Buy/Sell:
RM of Perdue No. 346, 2012 Portable Water Pump - June 8 - Close
RM of Montrose No. 315, 2023 Grader Mount Mulcher, June 22 - Close
RM of Montrose No. 315, 1988 Freightliner Tandem Fire Truck, June 22 - Close
RM of Maple Creek No. 111, 2018 Wing Mounted Reclaimer, June 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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Proposed Changes to The Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Act
The Ministry of Energy and Resources is consulting with stakeholders on proposed changes to The Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Act. Proposed changes seek to address issues impacting the operations of the Surface Rights Board of Arbitration, provide needed clarifications within the Act, and provide landowners with additional time to respond to applications for immediate rights of entry.
| | Details on the proposed changes may be found through the link below. | Please submit written feedback to the ER Service Desk at er.servicedesk@gov.sk.ca by June 5, 2026. | | | |
Proposed Changes to The Mineral Resources Act, 1985
The Ministry of Energy and Resources is consulting with stakeholders on proposed changes to The Mineral Resources Act, 1985. The proposed changes aim to support investment in carbon dioxide sequestration projects, to facilitate surface access for seismic exploration in the context of mine planning and mine-related emergencies and to support the ministry's legislative modernization efforts involving The Oil and Gas Conservation Act.
| | Details on the proposed changes may be found through the link below. | Please submit written feedback to the ER Service Desk at er.servicedesk@gov.sk.ca by June 12, 2026. | | | |
Proposed Changes to The Oil and Gas Conservation Act
The Ministry of Energy and Resources is consulting with stakeholders on proposed changes involving The Oil and Gas Conservation Act (OGCA). This legislative modernization initiative aims to replace the OGCA with a new and streamlined statute focused on the operations of wells and facilities associated with oil and gas and emerging non-oil and gas resources and activities, including lithium, helium, hydrogen and geothermal energy and carbon dioxide storage projects. The proposed legislative approach is intended to promote regulatory clarity and flexibility as well as alignment with existing resource conservation legislation.
| | Details on the proposed changes may be found through the link below. | Please submit written feedback to the ER Service Desk at er.servicedesk@gov.sk.ca by June 12, 2026. | | | |
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.
| | SARM is now on Bluesky! Follow us here: @sarm.ca | | | | |
