May 13, 2025

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MLDP Review Survey

Do you have thoughts on the future of municipal leadership in Saskatchewan?

The Municipal Leadership Development Program (MLDP) Sub-Committee wants to hear from you!

The MLDP is undergoing a review to ensure its continued relevance and improve engagement among municipal leaders. We are seeking your input to inform the future direction of the MLDP and we encourage you to share your thoughts by filling out the survey linked below.

Share Your Thoughts

SARM Division 3 Director Election

A special election to elect the Division 3 Director for the term from now to the 2026 SARM Annual Convention will be held virtually on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

The nominations include:

Shawn Kramer

RM of Maple Creek No. 111

Read Letter of Intent

Larry Grant

RM of Val Marie No. 17

Read Letter of Intent

Video addresses from each candidate and voting instructions will be sent to all RMs in Division 3 prior to the election. Please check your inboxes in the coming days for more information.

SARM Resolution Responses

SARM has received responses to several resolutions passed at the 2025 SARM Annual Convention. Click the links below to review the responses to each resolution.

Your Voice

Notice of Consultation:

Proposed Changes to

The Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Act

The Ministry of Energy and Resources (ER) is consulting with stakeholders on proposed changes to The Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Act (SRACA). The amendments aim to help companies acquire surface rights for wells and other infrastructure used for injecting and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) underground.

Stakeholders are invited to review and give written comments on the proposed legislative amendments by May 16, 2025. The Ministry will review this feedback, which may also be considered by the Legislature of Saskatchewan at a future date.

Summary of Proposed Changes

Featured amendments proposed for the SRACA are intended to support carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects in Saskatchewan. The amendments will do this by establishing a “right of entry” for surface infrastructure that is used to inject and store CO2 at a subsurface CO2 storage site. Such sites include wells and facilities, access roads, power lines, flow lines and service lines. Further details on proposed changes are attached to this notice as Appendix A.

Please note that the SRACA does not apply to First Nations reserve lands. For surface access rights on First Nations for resource exploration and development, companies must obtain surface use contracts, which are approved by the First Nation’s council and administered by Indian Oil and Gas Canada (IOGC).

Please direct any written comments or questions to the ER Service Desk at er.servicedesk@gov.sk.ca.

The deadline for submitting written comments is May 16, 2025.

Review Proposed Changes

RM Input on Modernization of Proximity Guidelines

Throughout 2025, the Railway Association of Canada (RAC) will be working closely with Dillon Consulting, the rail industry, and all interested parties to modernize the Proximity Guidelines. These Guidelines were last revised in 2013, when the RAC and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) co-developed the FCM-RAC Guidelines for New Development in Proximity to Railway Operations (Proximity Guidelines/Guidelines). The Guidelines exist to enhance safety and livability by providing developers and communities with planning tools for development in proximity to railway corridors.

Since the Proximity Guidelines were released and implemented across Canada over 10 years ago, real world experience has identified many opportunities for improvement. Also, Canada’s housing crisis has led to changing housing priorities and policies that incentivize more housing developments. Absent from this national dialogue is the critical importance of rail safety and how best to develop near rail. This is critical context for revisiting the Guidelines to address gaps, development pressures, and incorporate input from all interested parties to provide enhanced safety guidance for 2025 and beyond.

Complete the survey linked below to provide your input to the RAC. The survey deadline is now June 1, 2025.

Learn More

Take the Survey

Information & Resources

Updates on WSA Initiatives Impacting Rural Saskatchewan

Join SARM and the Water Security Agency (WSA) for a webinar to learn about key developments and next steps on several major initiatives that impact Saskatchewan’s rural communities. We’ll begin with a look at the Westside Irrigation Project, highlight the Agriculture Water Management Strategy and provide an overview of the Aquatic Habitat Protection Program. We look forward to sharing these updates, answering your questions, and hearing your feedback.

Take advantage of the opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and provide input into these projects that will shape the future of water management in our province.

Date: May 29, 2025

Time: 10-11:00 a.m.

Learn More / Register

Disclaimer: 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 Duck Lake No. 463, Public Works Foreman, May 15 - Close

RM of Milden No. 286, Equipment Operator, May 15 - Close

RM of Biggar No. 347, Administrator, May 24 - Close

RM of Argyle No. 1, Equipment/Maintenance Operator, May 29 - Close

RM of Wise Creek No. 77, Administrator, May 29 - Close

RM of Newcombe No. 260, Administrator, May 30 - Close

RM of Francis No. 127, Equipment Operator, May 30 - Close

RM of Prairie Rose No. 309, Equipment Operator, May 30 - Close

RM of Eagle Creek No. 376, Administrator, May 31 - Close

RM of White Valley No. 49, Grader Operator, May 31 - Close

RM of Sarnia No. 221, Administrator, June 1 - Close

RM of Buffalo No. 409, Grader Operator, June 30 - Close

RM of Livingston No. 331, Administrator, June 4 - Close

RM of Round Hill No. 467, Equipment Operator, June 8 - Close

Looking to Buy/Sell:

RM of Milden No. 286, 2015 John Deere 6170M, May 30 - Close

RM of Lumsden No. 189, Case 280 CVT Tractor and FAE 250 MTH Mulcher, June 4 - Close

SARM Classifieds

SARM Classifieds Submissions

Ad postings for the SARM Classifieds can be submitted through the online submission forms. For questions, contact 306.757.3577 or sarm@sarm.ca.

Submit a Classifieds Ad

May 12-16 is Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week

Saskatchewan Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Awareness Week runs from May 12 to May 16 this year - a great opportunity to learn more about slowing the spread of AIS and keeping our waterbodies healthy.

SPSA Fire Ban Issued to Prevent Further Human Caused Wildfires

Due to current conditions, high fire activity and the extreme fire risk in the province, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) has issued a provincial fire ban effective at 5 p.m. on May 8, 2025. The ban encompasses the area north of the provincial forest boundary, up to the Churchill River.

Crop Report for the Period of April 29 to May 5, 2025

Spring seeding is well underway across Saskatchewan, with 18 per cent of the 2025 crop now planted.

The current provincial seeding progress of 18 per cent is ahead of the five-year average (2020-2024) of 10 per cent and the 10-year average (2015-2024) of 12 per cent.

Saskatchewan Launches Online Wellbeing Course for New and Expecting Parents

The Government of Saskatchewan is supporting a new online therapy course to help new and expecting mothers and their partners who are experiencing mental health difficulties, such as depression or anxiety.