December 2024

Note: Some email platforms distort the Rural Sheaf (RS) formatting. The RS looks best when viewed as a webpage through your internet browser.

View as Webpage

Notice of Planned

Procurement Posting on

SaskTenders

Effective January 1, 2025

The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) requires any municipality interested in participating in a buying group to publish a declaration of its intent to participate in a buying group. Participating in SARM’s buying group includes purchases from SARM’s Member Purchasing, Canoe Procurement Group of Canada, and Sourcewell.

Effective January 1, 2025, SARM’s legal counsel has advised that the provisions of the CFTA requiring a procuring entity to publish a notice of participation with the buying group applies to each of SARM’s members individually. The legal advice that we received is that the RM is the procuring entity and it is the RM’s responsibility to make this annual posting.

SARM is advising its members to individually post a notice of their participation with the SARM buying group on SaskTenders before making purchases from the SARM buying group’s offerings. This posting is only required to remain active for two weeks. You will need to repeat this posting annually if purchases are planned for the year.

Notices of planned procurement for 2025 should not be posted on SaskTenders until January 1, 2025. Please see below for further details.

To create your municipality’s declaration, copy and paste the paragraph below onto a document with your municipality’s letterhead and attach to your Notice of Planned Procurement posting on SaskTenders.

(Insert Municipality Name) intends to participate in one or more procurements offered through the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), between (insert one year period including month/year). For further information and access to SARM’s Request for Proposal (RFP) notices, please review the Government of Saskatchewan website at sasktenders.ca/content/public/Search.aspx

Please contact Amanda Kozak, SARM's Procurement Advisor, if you have any questions at 306.761.3722 or akozak@sarm.ca.

SARM Resolutions Committee

Expression of Interest

Looking for Rural Representatives from SARM Divisions 1, 3, & 5

At the 2019 SARM Annual Convention, delegates passed two resolutions calling for the creation of a Resolutions Committee. As such, the SARM Board of Directors has approved a resolution process, which includes the creation of a Resolutions Committee with representation from each of the six SARM divisions. The SARM Resolutions Committee assists the Board of Directors and staff to carryout and improve the resolution policy and has the authority to:

Alter the wording, grammar, and format of resolutions to make them clear and distinct
Combine like resolutions
Recommend resolutions be withdrawn
Categorize resolutions
Amend background information that is deemed inaccurate or irrelevant in nature.

The Resolution Committee also evaluates and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for improvements to the current resolution policies and procedures.

We are contacting all members in Divisions 1, 3, and 5 for interest in a two year term.

The SARM Board will appoint interested members to the committee at their Board of Directors meeting.

If anyone on your council wishes to be on the Resolutions Committee, please submit the online Expression of Interest form linked below by January 3, 2025.

Submit Expression of Interest

Resolutions Policy

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 for details.

Resolution Writing Tips

Resolution Submission Form

SARM Calendar for Outlook

Similar to last year, in conjunction with the online calendar on our website, we have created an email calendar through Outlook for SARM members looking for an easier and more efficient way to keep track of important municipal deadlines and reminders. Please note this calendar is only compatible with Outlook.

If you are an Outlook user and wish to gain access to the '2025 SARM Member Calendar’, please click the link below to download the file. Once the calendar has finished downloading, double click the file in your Downloads folder to import the contents into your Outlook calendar.

Download Outlook Calendar

Update New Council Member Details on SARM Website RM Directory

Don't forget to update the RM Directory on the SARM website. This will ensure that SARM and the public are kept up to date with current RM council details.

The RM Directory is also where we pull the information for SARM's convention name badges.

To access your RM Directory profile on the SARM website, please log in here and click on the “Manage your RM Directory Listing” link that is located under the Administrator’s Access for Updates heading on the Members Only homepage.

If you require any assistance, please contact coordinator@sarm.ca.

Update RM Directory

Awards/Nominations/Scholarships

Awarded to Reeves, Councillors, or Administrators (active or retired)

for their lifetime contribution to rural Saskatchewan.

2025 Lieutenant Governor's Award Nomination Period:

NOV 1, 2024 - JAN 31, 2025

The nomination period for the 2025 Lieutenant Governor's Award will open on November 1, 2024. Candidates must be nominated by an RM, with council’s approval, and administrator’s sign-off.

The selection committee reviews all nominations and selects one individual who has not yet been formally recognized and includes representatives from:

Lieutenant’s Governor’s Office of Saskatchewan
Ministry of Government Relations
Rural Municipal Administrators’ Association
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities

The award will be presented to the successful candidate at the Opening Ceremonies of the SARM Annual Convention. This forum provides an excellent opportunity to publicly recognize the recipient of this prestigious award.

Visit the SARM website for more information and to access the nomination form.

For questions or to submit nominations, contact:

Kathleen Israel, Committee Secretary

executivecoordinator@sarm.ca or 306.761.3731

Learn More

Agriculture Student

Scholarship

Applications Now Open

The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Agriculture Student Scholarship. There are four awards available: a grand prize scholarship valued at $6,000 and three runner up scholarships at $3,000 each.

This year's theme is solutions to challenges in agriculture. Scholarship applicants are encouraged to explore innovative farming practices, new technologies and creative ways industry can communicate with the public. The scholarship encourages applicants to share their personal perspectives on the future of agriculture in Saskatchewan.

Students are invited to submit a creative three-minute video or 1,000-word essay discussing solutions to challenges in agriculture. Scholarships will be awarded to Saskatchewan students in Grade 12 and/or recent high school/GED graduates entering agriculture-related post-secondary studies in fall 2025.

The deadline for applications is March 1, 2025.

Learn More / Apply

Deadlines

Rat Control Program

Claim Deadline: December 31, 2024

To learn more about the Rat Control Program, scan the QR code or visit the SARM website.

Beaver Control Program

Claim Deadline: February 15, 2025

To learn more about the Beaver Control Program, scan the QR code or visit the SARM website.

Civic Address Registry (CAR)

Signage Incentive Project

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) is pleased to announce the CAR Signage Incentive Project. The project is a limited time offer to provide assistance with the cost of road name and civic address signage for Saskatchewan.

The Civic Address Registry (CAR) program works with communities to improve identification of property locations for 9-1-1 operators, dispatch services, and emergency responders. Communities that join CAR can participate in free training and access resources that locate properties more quickly and accurately.

The CAR Signage Incentive Project is being launched to encourage communities to participate in the CAR program and to increase the use of physical signage to assist in emergency response. There is no cost to participate in the CAR program or to apply for the incentive.

Further details of the project can be found below:

This project is open to new and existing CAR community participants.
The SPSA will subsidize the purchase of a community’s civic address signs.
To qualify for the signage incentive, participating communities must first complete the CAR Level 2 training by March 31, 2025. Training is free through CAR.
CAR Level 2 training qualifies participants for road signage.
CAR Level 3 training qualifies participants for civic address and road signage.
During this limited time offer, you can submit only one application per signage type.
The signage incentive is limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

How to get involved: Encourage community leads to send their name and community name advising their interest in the incentive project to car@gov.sk.ca by December 31, 2024.

For more information on the CAR program, visit: saskpublicsafety.ca/communities/car.

For more information on the CAR Signage Incentive Project, email car@gov.sk.ca or contact Lisa Hall at 306.519.2659.

CAR Fact Sheet

CAR FAQs

Municipal Revenue Sharing

Declaration of Eligibility

Municipalities are required to annually report their compliance with eligibility requirements to receive their Municipal Revenue Sharing (MRS) grant by completing an online Declaration of Eligibility (declaration). The unique link and password for the online declaration have been emailed to each municipality on November 15, 2024.

If you do not see the email in your inbox, please check your spam/junk folder and then contact grcompliance@gov.sk.ca requesting the email be re-sent.

To avoid your municipality's MRS grant for the 2025-26 year from being withheld, ensure your municipality submits its declaration, which includes a resolution from council, and that your municipality meets all eligibility requirements.

The deadline for submission of the declaration is January 31, 2025. Please ensure the declaration is submitted by the deadline, even if the municipality does not meet all eligibility requirements.

Learn More

Declaration Process & Eligibility Requirements

Municipal Tax Policy for Agricultural Crown Lands

With municipal taxes coming due December 31, now is a good time to become familiar with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Municipal Tax Policy for agricultural Crown lands. This policy outlines how the ministry and the Rural Municipality (RM) can work together to ensure that any outstanding taxes levied on leased agricultural Crown land are paid in a timely fashion.

RMs can request payment for taxes owing on leased agricultural Crown land if there are any unpaid amounts five business days after December 31st of the year in which the taxes were levied. The first step is for the RM to complete and submit the Agreement Cancellation Request Form to Corporate Services. Corporate Services will not be sending out this form, it has been linked below for your convenience. This form needs to be submitted no later than February 5, 2025. Due to the strict payment terms, late applications cannot be processed. If you have questions, please contact Corporate Services at billinginquiryag@gov.sk.ca or 306.787.7191.

Once this form is received by the ministry, a Notice of Cancellation will be sent to the lessee if the amount owing is $200 or more. If taxes are not paid by the lessee within 21 business days after the issuance of the Notice of Cancellation, the lease will be cancelled. The ministry will only pay up to one year of tax arrears (the 2024 tax year) to the RM directly and the ministry will take the necessary actions to recover the debt from the former lessee. If the RM receives payment for taxes, after the ministry provides a grant in lieu, from the former lessee on a cancelled lease, the RM will refund all taxes paid by the ministry.

Furthermore, if there is vacant agricultural Crown land with agricultural potential in your RM, the ministry will pay a grant in lieu for 2024 municipal taxes. RMs can request a grant in lieu by contacting their district land management specialist. Please be aware the ministry will not pay interest or penalty fees.

The Municipal Tax Policy outlines the categories of land the ministry will pay a grant in lieu for municipal taxes:

Vacant, titled and has continuing agricultural potential; and
Vacant, untitled and has continuing agricultural potential.

The ministry does not pay a grant in lieu for municipal taxes for the following categories of land:

Leased (including former federal and provincial community pastures);
Vacant, titled and has no continuing agricultural potential;
Vacant, untitled and has no continuing agricultural potential;
Permitted (the ministry collects a cheque from the permittee, written to the RM for taxes, when the permit is issued);
Abandoned rail line lands transferred to the Crown but not incorporated into a Crown land lease; and
Small acreages (10 acres or less) utilized for special purposes such as reservoirs, lagoons, transmission towers and from which no revenue is derived by the ministry.

For more information on the municipal tax policy please visit www.saskatchewan.ca.

Agreement Cancellation Request Form

Community Rink Affordability Grant

Application Period

Applications for the 2024-25 Community Rink Affordability Grant will open on January 6, 2025.

Communities, First Nations, schools and non-profits are eligible and encouraged to register for the annual grant of $2,500 per indoor ice surface. The grant helps offset the costs of operating indoor skating and curling rinks in Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan government will double the program funding to $3.2 million starting in 2025-26, increasing the grant to $5,000 per rink.

The application period will run from January 6, 2025, until February 28, 2025, and the grant is set to be paid out by March 2025.

Learn More

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s

Rural Transit Solutions Fund: Capital Projects Stream

Call for Applications

The Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, Sean Fraser, announced the launch of the Rural Transit Solutions Fund’s Capital Projects stream intake under the Canada Public Transit Fund.

The Rural Transit Solutions Fund supports the development and expansion of locally driven transit solutions, by helping residents of rural, remote, Indigenous and Northern communities conduct their day-to-day activities, like access services, go to work, school, medical appointments, and visit loved ones.

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada recognizes the diversity of Canada’s rural and remote communities and their unique transit needs. The Fund supports a range of public transit models including fixed-routes, on demand transit and micromobility services, such as e-bikes.

Under the Capital Projects stream, eligible organizations with at least two years of transit experience, including local governments working in partnership with experienced transit organizations, or a completed public transit feasibility study (dated after January 1, 2020) can apply for a federal contribution of up to $10 million. Organizations with less than two years of experience and no recent feasibility study may still qualify for up to $250,000 in federal funding. This funding helps cover the cost of capital assets, which includes purchasing vehicles and supporting infrastructure (e.g., bus stops and charging stations) for a transit system.

Applications for the Capital Projects stream will be accepted through the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s Applicant Portal. Applications will be accepted from all applicants until March 4, 2025 (3:00 p.m. EST), while applications from Indigenous recipients will be accepted until April 8, 2025 (3:00 p.m. EST).

Any inquiries related to the Rural Transit Solutions Fund may be submitted to: rtsf-fstcr@infc.gc.ca via email, or 1.833.699.2280 for the toll-free number.

Application Guides

Learn More

Additionally, over the coming months Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada will be hosting a series of webinars for potential applicants. Dates for english sessions are:

January 14, 2025, 1-2:00 p.m. (EST)
January 28, 2025, 1-2:00 p.m. (EST)
February 13, 2025, 1-2:00 p.m. (EST)

RIRG 2024 Clearing the Path (CTP) Statutory Declaration Reminder

RMs with a CTP Corridor

Reminder to submit your 2024 RIRG Clearing the Path Incremental Maintenance Statutory Declaration by March 30, 2025 using the online Statutory Declaration Form.

This form requires completion annually to confirm that the Road Authority has maintained the Corridor(s) to a safe and suitable level as described in their CTP Incremental Maintenance Funding Agreement.

For all following CTP programs beginning in the 2025-26 program year, the Statutory Declaration shall only be accepted from January 1st to March 30th of each year.

About CTP

CTP Statutory Declartation Form

Targeted Sector Support Initiative

The Targeted Sector Support (TSS) Initiative is a cost-shared grant program that uses a portion of Municipal Revenue Sharing ($1.5 million per fiscal year) to support projects that strengthen municipalities’ core operational capabilities through increased regional cooperation.

Projects under this program are intended to assist in supporting more efficient and effective municipal service delivery, and enhanced governance and administrative capacity in Saskatchewan. Partnering municipalities can apply for up to 75 per cent on eligible project costs to strengthen their core municipal responsibilities.

The TSS Steering Committee will be accepting applications for funding until April 30, 2025.

Learn More / Apply

Information & Resources

SARM Interactive Online Calendar - January 2025

View the SARM Interactive Online Calendar to access the full year on the SARM website. This version is updated regularly as new dates of interest and deadlines are identified and should be viewed as the most current.

Deadlines

January 1:

To start tax enforcement list

January 10:

To remit and return monthly EPT funds
To remit taxes to SMHI, Conservation & Development (C&D) and regional parks

January 15:

For CRA source deductions remittance

January 20:

To submit statement to organized hamlet board

January 25

To submit annual convention resolutions

January 31

To submit nominations for Lt. Gov's Award for Outstanding Service in Rural Sask
To file annual EPT return
To forward tax liens to ISC (previous year's arrears)

Meetings

Committee Meeting: January 8
Committee Meeting: January 14
Board Meeting: January 15-16

Monthly Reminder(s)

Submit Municipal Revenue Sharing Grant (MRS): all municipalities must submit an online declaration of eligibility on or before January 31st (a council resolution is required)
Appoint a weed inspector
Submit Fidelity Bond coverage to council at first meeting of the year
Appoint Board of Revision members and secretary
Appoint District Planning Commission members
Appoint library board members, if applicable
Appoint Development Appeals Board members
Set amount of coverage required under Workers' Compensation by resolution at first council meeting of the year
MEPP employee and employer contributions through PLANet, as well as submitting payment is due within 15 days from the end of the pay period

Special Days

New Year's Day: January 1

SARM Interactive Online Calendar

Packaging and Paper Recycling in Saskatchewan: A New Era Begins

SK Recycles is the new provincial household packaging and paper recycling program, creating a dynamic recycling network with a common goal.

As of December 1, 2024, the SK Recycles program is accepting flexible plastics, foam packaging, and non-deposit glass bottles and jars for recycling at any SARCAN depot.

For more information on what to recycle, visit SKRecycles.ca/material.

SK Recycles Booklet

What Can I Recycle?

Funding to upgrade multiple buildings at once!

By renovating local facilities in your municipality, you will not only save on energy costs, but also increase resilience, create local jobs and maybe even improve the buildings’ services. When Ituna used a combination of a Green Municipal Fund (GMF) grant and loan to upgrade its 63-year-old arena with a new insulated steel shell, they took the opportunity to make the surface of the ice rink a bit bigger too.

You can maximize your impact by adding multiple community or municipal buildings to your GMF funding application—whether it’s for energy upgrades or the construction of new buildings.

With Saskatchewan’s cold winters and rising energy demands, now’s the time to invest in sustainable, energy-efficient buildings.

Learn More / Apply

Occupational Health & Safety Snow Removal Exemption

The snow removal exemption, including the required agreement, is linked below for your reference and use. As in the past, this only applies to residents contracted by an individual rural municipality to remove snow who meets the conditions of the exemption and who signs an agreement to comply with the conditions set out in the exemption. This exemption is in effect until November 30, 2025.

View Exemption Letter

Health Human Resources Action Plan

December Update

A new incentive of up to $200,000 over five years will be offered to support recruitment of graduates in Emergency Medicine. The incentive includes both specialist Emergency Medicine physicians and Family Medicine physicians who pursue additional training in Emergency Medicine.

Physicians who have completed their final year of Emergency Medicine training since June 2024, and have established minimum practice requirements in the province, are eligible for this practice incentive. This incentive is also open to Emergency Medicine physicians who relocate to Saskatchewan to pursue practice.

Additional HHR Progress Updates

Municipal Infrastructure and Finance Updates

Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund

Housing, Infrastructure & Communities Canada (HICC) recently announced the launch the Direct Delivery Intake for the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF).

Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure

HICC is implementing an initiative to help communities across Canada build resilient and low-carbon housing and infrastructure. The Climate Toolkit is intended for communities to help them adapt their infrastructure to changing climate conditions, and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions during new home and infrastructure constructions.

Municipal Directory System

It is important for municipalities to regularly check that their contact information and email addresses are current in the Municipal Directory System (MDS). This is to ensure municipalities receive important information in a timely manner from the Ministry of Government Relations about grant funding opportunities and other key initiatives such as the Municipal Revenue Sharing program.

To review and update your information, please visit the recently upgraded MDS website.

Submitting Municipal Election Results

Municipalities are reminded to submit their municipal election results to the Ministry of Government Relations as soon as possible. Election results include any council positions elected by acclamation. For further information on submitting election results, please refer to the Municipal Election Results Reporting Fact Sheet.

Ministry of Government Relations

Municipalities Today - December 2024

The following RMs have requested the information below to be distributed and will be billed for using this service.

Looking to Hire:

RM of Vanscoy No. 345, Office Assistant, Dec 31 - Close

RM of Fertile Valley No. 285, Grader Operator, Dec 31 - Close

RM of Lost River No. 313, Foreman, Jan 10 - Close

RM of Kindersley No. 290, Assistant Foreman, Jan 10 - Close

RM of South Qu’Appelle No. 157, Foreman, Jan 12 - Close

RM of White Valley No. 49, Grader Operator, Jan 24 - Close

RM of Pleasantdale No 398, Chief Administrative Officer, Jan 24 - Close

Looking to Buy/Sell:

RM of Preeceville No. 334, Snowblower, Jan 10 - Close

SARM Classifieds

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.

Submit a Classifieds Ad

Supplier Highlight

Janitorial Supply Program

From essential cleaning supplies and equipment to effective waste management, the Canoe Janitorial Supply Program offers a comprehensive solution for maintaining clean and safe facilities. The program provides everything you need to create a healthy environment for your staff and visitors, giving you access to high-quality products and services at competitive rates.

Learn More

2025 Pest Control Officer Workshops

SARM and the Plant Health Technical Advisors invite you to join us for a one-day workshop in February 2025.

Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, and First Aid for Life representatives are joining to share valuable insights and conversations around a variety of topics including:

The Plant Health Act and The Plant Health Regulations
Relevant regulations for the control or management of birds and bats in Saskatchewan
Field Safety refresher around emergency first aid and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The free workshops will run from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm with lunch included.

February 4, 2025 – Regina, The Atlas Hotel (4177 Albert Street, Regina, SK)

February 5, 2025 – Saskatoon, Western Development Museum (2610 Lorne Ave, Saskatoon, SK)

For questions about the day or registration please contact Chelsea Neuberger at phndivision5@sarm.ca or 306.380.4526.

SARM Plant Health Technical Advisors and Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture have partnered to deliver free webinars

once again in 2025.

Weed Inspector & Land Manager Webinar – Enforcement of The Weed Control Act

February 19, 2025, at 12:00 pm

The webinar will explore the enforcement processes for Weed Inspectors, including issuing agreements and orders, under The Weed Control Act.

Presented by Cory Jacob, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.

Pest Control Officer Webinar – Integrated Pest Management for Rodent Control

February 20, 2025, at 12:00 pm

The presentation will address major issues with small animals, burrowing rodents, mice, and rats with discussions that cover biology, damage, hazards and means to control them.

Presented by James Tansey, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.

Webinar: Become Involved in

Regulated Child Care

January 22nd

The Ministry of Education, Early Years Branch, is inviting you to participate in a live one-hour webinar on Municipal Involvement in Regulated Child Care.

The webinar is intended for municipalities to learn about regulated child care in Saskatchewan and gain an understanding of the role municipalities can play.

To learn more about how your municipality can support child care development, visit Municipal Involvement in Regulated Child Care.

The live one-hour webinar will be delivered on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The content of the webinar was previously delivered live in July and August 2024. If you participated in the previous webinar and would like a content refresher, you are welcome to attend.

Please register online by visiting prior to January 16, 2025. There is no cost to participate.

Participation capacity will be limited to 25 participants. A meeting link will be sent upon registration.

SARM Webinars

SARM offers webinars for members. Not only can you participate in these live, but you can also have them as a resource to view again when it’s convenient. Past topics have included:

Tax Enforcement
Municipal Investment Solutions
Drainage Products and Solutions
Saskatchewan's Property Assessment System
Combating Crime in Saskatchewan
Pest Control Product Compliance
Municipal Leaders' Roles and Responsibilities
And more

SARM Webinars Library

Let us know what you would like to hear about in the coming year by submitting suggested webinar topics through the following form.

Submit Topics

#RuralMatters

SARM News Releases (NR)

SARM News Archive

Happy holidays from all of us at SARM!

We encourage you to join us in the spirit of giving by donating to STARS to help support the critical emergency care they provide to rural communities.

Donate to STARS

SARM had a productive meeting with Sask NDP Official Opposition Leader Carla Beck and MLAs Trent Wotherspoon and Jared Clarke to discuss key issues impacting rural municipalities in Saskatchewan.

Topics included healthcare, agriculture, public safety and policing, Municipal Revenue Sharing, and the need for infrastructure investment.

We appreciate the opportunity to share the priorities of rural communities.

SARM’s Acting President, Acting Vice President, and Executive Director met with the Hon. Eric Schmalz, Minister of Government Relations, and the Hon. Daryl Harrison, Minister of Agriculture, to discuss common areas of interest. Topics included The Municipalities Act, Municipal Revenue Sharing, the Lake Diefenbaker Project, pest control, and more.

Awards/Nominations/Scholarships

Deadlines

Targeted Sector Support Initiative

Information & Resources

Supplier Highlight

SARM Webinars

#RuralMatters

Sponsored Content