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April 2023
Note: certain email platforms distort the Rural Sheaf (RS) formatting. It is viewed best as a webpage through your internet browser.
View as Webpage
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Cody Jordison
SARM Division 2 Director
Division2@sarm.ca
Cody was born in the community of Crane Valley where he grew up on the family’s mixed grain/cattle farm. He now has put down roots in the community of Lumsden with his wife and their two children. Cody joined the RM council in 2015 in a by-election and shortly after was appointed deputy reeve, which he still holds today.
Cody keeps active with sports, hunting, and managing their small herd of highland cattle. With nearly 20 years in the industry as a paramedic, he has a deep understanding of how health care operates in rural and urban backgrounds. He looks forward to bringing his energy to board meetings and working hard for Division 2.
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Myron Kopec
SARM Division 4 Director
Division4@sarm.ca
Myron was born and raised in the Buchanan district. He achieved his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan in 1988. Upon graduation, he worked in the Crop Protection Industry for 21 years. He established his farming operation in 1991 and continues to farm full time with his wife Syndee.
Myron is currently a councillor with the RM of Buchanan No 304. He is also the Chairman of the Good Spirit Lake Watershed Association. He and his wife Syndee operate a grain farm in North Eastern Saskatchewan with a focus on cereal, oilseed, and pulse production. Myron is very proud to be a steward of the land and feels privileged to be part of the industry working together to feed the world.
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2023 Saskatchewan Municipal Award (SMA) Winners
Congratulations to the 2023 Saskatchewan Municipal Award (SMA) winners. On April 18, at the 2023 SUMA Convention, winning urban governments received their Saskatchewan Municipal Awards. On March 14, winners from Saskatchewan's rural municipalities received their awards at the 2023 SARM Annual Convention.
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1st Place:
Solar Power for New Infrastructure
Town of Lumsden
Initiated a solar power project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at four new municipal facilities and contribute to the
long-term sustainability of the community.
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2nd Place:
Biggar Revitalization Project
Town of Biggar
Developed a four-phase plan, with community input and partnerships, to revitalize Biggar’s Main Street.
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3rd Place:
Women in Government Program
RM of Edenwold No. 158
Adopted a program to attract and encourage women to run for municipal council.
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Regional Cooperation Award:
P4G Planning District
Cities of Martensville, Saskatoon, and Warman, RM of Corman Park, and
Town of Osler
Established a partnership to ensure a coordinated approach to regional planning and servicing, preparing the region for growth and economic prosperity.
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Award winner videos are now available to view on the SMA website. | |
Municipal Peer Network Needs Mentors
The Saskatchewan Municipal Peer Network is looking for two elected officials to become mentors.
Mentors share their knowledge to those accessing the service to help resolve complex issues or conflicts. They listen to issues, act as a sounding board, provide advice toward raising issues more publicly and give suggestions on how to handle issues based on their past experiences. They can also refer peers to any known additional resources. Types of calls mentors receive may be related to relationships, public input, and disagreements. The conversations they have are all confidential.
Mentors do not provide conflict dispute resolution nor are they mediators or arbitrators. They are also not intended to replace Municipal Advisors who provide technical advice.
The mentors serve a two-year term and may be reappointed by their associations for a subsequent term.
Please contact sarm@sarm.ca if you're interested in becoming a mentor.
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Ministry of Government Relations Consultation on Red Tape Review of The Subdivision Regulations, 2014
The Ministry of Government Relations is seeking input from a wide range of partners and organizations pertaining to phase one of their consultation on a red tape review of The Subdivision Regulations, 2014. Red tape is defined as any regulation that goes above and beyond what is required to meet the intended objective.
While some red tape is easily identifiable, some is not so easy. Some examples include:
- Regulation exceeds the benefit achieved from the regulation;
- Rules are unclear, confusing or overly complex;
- Rules are outdated, not relevant, obsolete or not enforced;
- Rules duplicate requirements, create gaps in service or conflict with other government agencies; or
- An issue might be better addressed through self-regulation or a specific sector, rather than through provincial government regulation.
SARM asks that its membership review The Subdivision Regulations, 2014 and provide feedback to Alicia Bay at abay@sarm.ca and/or Deanna Nichols at dnichols@sarm.ca no later than end of day on Friday, May 12, 2023.
The Ministry of Government Relations expects various submissions from stakeholders, some of whom may advocate for changes to the Regulations. Your answers will guide future consultations and better position the ministry to ensure that the Regulations meet the needs of citizens, investors, municipalities, and the province.
Please be as specific as possible when answering the questions below:
- In what ways do the Regulations reflect the needs of your organization?
- What challenges does your organization face when working with the Regulations?
- In the interest of regulatory efficiency, are there any barriers or challenges your organization experiences with the Regulations?
- Are the current Regulations for subdivision requirements appropriate? Why or why not?
- What are the top three changes your organization would like the provincial government to consider when reviewing the Regulations?
- Does your organization have any other comments or suggestions for improvements?
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Join FCM’s Board of Directors
The nomination process is open for FCM’s 2023-24 Board of Directors. The FCM Board champions change on a national scale, helping communities across Canada thrive.
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Visit FCM’s Board of Directors page to learn more about running for a Director position, as well as to find nomination and consent forms. Elections will take place during FCM’s Annual Conference and Trade Show, May 25-28, 2023, in Toronto, ON. Nomination forms and resolutions are due May 14, 2023 to include your name on the official ballot for the board of directors. | | | |
If you have any questions on the elections process, please reach out to elections@fcm.ca. | |
SARM Interactive Online Calendar - May | |
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Deadlines:
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Assessor to prepare the assessment roll
- Remit and return monthly EPT funds
- Remit taxes to SMHI, C&D and regional parks
- CRA source deductions remittance
- MEPP remittance
- Advertise assessment roll as decided by council
- Mail assessment notices
- Receive C&D rates
Reminders:
- During April & May council can consider applications for withdrawal of lands as shown on lists supplied by SMHI
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Meetings:
- Ag & Economy: MAY 4
- Municipal Oversite: MAY 10
- Board of Directors: MAY 11
Special Days:
- Mother's Day: MAY 14
- RMAA Convention: MAY 15-18
- Victoria Day: MAY 22
- FCM Conference: MAY 25-28
Click on the link below to access the full year on the SARM website. This version is updated regularly as new dates of interest and deadlines are identified.
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This Mental Health Week is all About Storytelling
May 1-7, 2023
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Storytelling is a fundamental part of being human. Stories help build connections and strong communities. Storytelling, in all its forms, supports mental health and reduces stigma.
This year’s Mental Health Week will amplify some of the voices and spaces within which mental health exists across Canada, especially at the community level through non-profit agencies and programs.
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Keep an Eye on HPAI
With spring migration fast approaching, the risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) will return and continue to impact poultry producers and small flock owners across the province.
One tool to help limit HPAI is an animal health order that temporarily prohibits the participation of birds in events like shows, auctions and fairs. This type of order was used in the spring of 2022 and again in the fall, and may be put in place again this spring if outbreaks occur as anticipated.
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Biosecurity remains the best tool for poultry producers and small flock owners to protect their birds from avian influenza. Protocols include keeping wild birds away from poultry flocks and food and water supplies, limiting visitors and monitoring bird health. Small flock owners are encouraged to confine their birds indoors, if possible, during wild bird migration.
Producers should contact their veterinarian immediately if they have concerns about the health status of their flock or suspicion of HPAI.
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As a federally reportable disease, all confirmed cases of avian influenza must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) upon discovery.
If you have questions related to avian influenza, contact your local CFIA district office. CFIA-confirmed findings of HPAI in domestic poultry are posted on the CFIA website.
Producers can also access information about the disease on the Government of Saskatchewan avian influenza in poultry webpage.
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Respect in the Workplace Training
Since 2019, SARM has been fortunate to offer the Respect in the Workplace Training at half the cost due to SARM’s partnership with the Respect Group. This program is designed to empower your team with the skills to prevent bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination. Our goal is to have our members, both council and staff, certify themselves through the training. The program takes approximately 90 minutes and is done online in one sitting, but we recommend you break it up. You can come and go from the modules. The focus of the training is on culture change but of equal importance is the legal risk and liability avoidance it affords.
The certification costs $20.00 per person. Councils and staff simply register for the training. SARM will invoice the members on a quarterly basis based on your activity. It’s as simple as that.
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Linked below, in both English and French, are the registration and access instructions for Respect in the Workplace. You will also see the “Respect in the Workplace One pager”. Providing these instructions to your users simplifies the registration process for end-users and reduces possible confusion or challenges.
For helpdesk support, please go to:
https://support.respectgroupinc.com
Let’s have a goal of all our members to become Respect Certified.
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The following RM’s have requested the information below to be distributed and will be billed for using this service. | |
Looking to Hire:
RM of Orkney No. 244, Equipment Operator, MAY 18 - Close
RM of Fertile Belt No. 183, Full-Time Supervisory Position, MAY 25 - Close
RM of Nipawin No. 487, Municipal Administrator, MAY 25 - Close
RM of Glen McPherson No. 46, Temporary Seasonal Grader Operator, MAY 11 - Close
RM of Mankota No. 45 & RM of Glen McPherson No. 46, Temporary Administrative Assistant, MAY 22 - Close
RM of Blaine Lake No. 434, Seasonal Grader Operator, MAY 22 - Close
Village of Pelly, Administrator, MAY 19 - Close
RM of Aberdeen No. 373, Seasonal Full-Time Equipment Operator, MAY 14 - Close
RM of Spiritwood No. 496, Seasonal Full-Time Heavy Equipment Operator/Labourer, APR 29 - Close
SARM, Seasonal Full-Time Policy Analyst, APR 28 - Close
RM of Montmartre No. 126, Seasonal Full-Time Equipment Operator, MAY 10 - Close
RM of Wawken No. 93, Tractor and Mower Operator, MAY 5 - Close
RM of Dufferin No. 190, Full-Time Grader Operator, MAY 2 - Close
RM of Mervin No. 499, Administrative Assistant, APR 30 - Close
RM of Dundurn No. 314, Superintendent of Public Works, MAY 2 - Close
RM of Perdue No. 346, Administrator, MAY 10 - Close
RM of Meadow Lake No. 588, CAO/Administrator, APR 30 - Close
Looking to Buy/Sell:
RM of Lipton No. 217, For Sale by Tender: Used Schulte XH1500 Series 4 Mower - May 27 - Close
SARM, For Sale by Tender: Used Photocopier - Canon Image Runner Advance C355IF, Colour, MAY 26 - Close
SARM, For Sale by Tender: Used Photocopier - Canon Image Runner Advance 4551i, Black-and-white, MAY 26 - Close
RM of Biggar No. 347, For Sale by Tender: 2011 John Deere 7230, MAY 25 - Close
RM of Invergordon No. 430, For Sale: 2020 Capital I Grader Reclaimer, MAY 25 - Close
RM of Tecumseh No. 65, Looking to Buy: Used Brillion Sure Stand Seeder, MAY 22 - Close
RM of McLeod No. 185, For Sale: 1980 John Deer 4440, MAY 16 - Close
RM of McLeod No. 185, For Sale: 1980 John Deer 4240, MAY 16 - Close
RM of Willner No. 253, For Sale by Tender: 2017 Highline Mower, MAY 11 - Close
RM of Victory No. 226, For Sale: 2007 140H CAT Grader with Ripper/Scarifier, MAY 14 - Close
RM of McLeod No. 185, For Sale: 2015 Cat 140 M Grader, MAY 13 - Close
RM of Mount Hope No. 279, For Sale by Tender: Various Pieces of Equipment, MAY 12 - Close
RM of Rocanville No. 151, For Sale by Tender: Snow Plow A Frames with Conversion Blocks, MAY 10 - Close
RM of Rocanville No. 151, For Sale by Tender: Highline Mower with attached Sidearm and Joystick, MAY 10 - Close
RM of Rocanville No. 151, For Sale by Tender: 2010 Degelman Mower Rev 1500 with Degelman 1820 Sidearm, MAY 10 - Close
RM of Rocanville No. 151, For Sale by Tender: One-way Plow, MAY 10 - Close
RM of Rocanville No. 151, For Sale by Tender: One-Way Mow Board, MAY 10 - Close
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Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a five-year, $485-million investment by federal and provincial governments in strategic initiatives for Saskatchewan agriculture. With a focus on anticipating, mitigating, and effectively managing production risk, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture has partnered with SARM to deliver the Pest Biosecurity Program with $3.9 million per year for five years.
The Pest Biosecurity Program, available to RMs and First Nations (FN), south of the Northern Administrative District, is made up of 5 programs that will provide RMs and FNs with resources when dealing with issues regarding invasive plants, rats, gophers, nuisance beavers, clubroot and other pests as declared/designated under the Saskatchewan Pest Control Act and Weed Control Act.
- Plant Health Network
- Beaver Control Program
- Gopher Control Program
- Invasive Plant Control Program
- Rat Control Program
The new agreement is effective April 1, 2023, and will be in place until March 31, 2028. Details on the programs will be posted on the SARM website in the coming weeks.
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Pest Biosecurity Program RMAA Trade Show Booth
Administrators! Don’t miss an opportunity to visit the Pest Biosecurity Program trade show booth at the RMAA Convention and chat with the Plant Health Technical Advisors (PHTA) to learn more about the Sustainable CAP programs. More funding with new and updated programs! The PHTAs are your resource to help manage agricultural crop pests as well as prohibited and noxious weeds. See you there!
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Visit Asset Management Saskatchewan's website for more information. | | |
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Sign up for free webinars in May
Register now for free webinars hosted by Tourism Saskatchewan. These one-hour sessions will offer knowledge and advice on marketing, social media, worker recruitment, customer service and other topics of interest to tourism and hospitality businesses.
Sign up for the following:
New webinars will be added monthly. Check out the full list of upcoming Courses and Workshops on Tourism Saskatchewan’s Business Hub.
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Stress on the Farm
Rural families deserve credit for working hard to meet the challenges that are often beyond their control such as weather, pests, disease, high-input costs, volatile markets and low financial returns at the farm gate. Many Saskatchewan farm families have off-farm income, which, in turn, may result in additional pressure which can lead to fatigue and burnout.
Farmers and ranchers who endure high levels of stress may find that it has negatively affected their health and has reduced their quality of life. High stress can compromise personal safety and affect family relationships.
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Whether it is information, conflict, or crisis, the first step is communication. Call before the problem becomes a crisis. The Farm Stress Line can help if you are managing farm difficulties by providing support for farmers and ranchers.
We respect confidentiality. There is no call display.
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Province Passes Saskatchewan Firearms Act
On April 6, 2023, government passed The Saskatchewan Firearms Act to enhance public safety across Saskatchewan and protect the rights of lawful firearms owners.
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The Act will:
- With respect to recent changes by the federal government that impact lawful firearms owners:
- establish licensing requirements for seizure agents involved in firearms expropriation;
- require and oversee fair compensation for any firearms being seized; and
- require forensic and ballistic testing of seized firearms.
- Establish a provincial firearms regulatory system that will promote the safe and responsible use of firearms.
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This legislation will be primarily administered by the Saskatchewan Firearms Office. The Office will also take on an expanded role in prosecuting non-violent provincial firearms offenses.
Government has dedicated approximately $8.9 million to the Saskatchewan Firearms Office in the 2023-24 budget, which will include funding for initiatives such as:
- Creating a Central Management and Services (CMS) unit to administer the Firearms Act in Saskatchewan, which includes jurisdiction over the licensing, storage, transportation and carrying of firearms ($2.2 million);
- Establishing a Firearms Compensation Committee to determine the fair market value of any firearms, ammunition and related accessories being expropriated by the federal government ($1.3 million);
- Constructing a Saskatchewan Firearms Ballistics Lab to support police services and provide timely access to Saskatchewan-based ballistics and firearms expertise ($927,000); and,
- Enhancing training and education regarding safe storage and firearms licensing.
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Power Talks
SaskPower
Saskatchewan’s power system is changing, and SaskPower is inviting the public to learn more about the supply options it already uses and some it’s considering for the future. Join SaskPower for their online energy education series Power Talks on May 2, 3, and 10.
SaskPower is in the process of updating their long-term power supply plan, and for the first time they’re including the public in this process. During the first stage of this engagement process, participants told SaskPower they wanted to learn more about the supply options SaskPower currently uses and what’s being considered for the future. They also said they want to hear from experts and industry professionals from other jurisdictions and utilities. So, SaskPower is hosting their first-ever energy education series called Power Talks, with topics that include nuclear power, the work their own SMR project team is undertaking, integrating large-scale renewables onto the power grid, and a closer look at other future supply options.
Learn more and register at saskpower.com/powertalks.
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Getting Started
Saskatchewan Blue Cross
Group Benefits Plan
Saskatchewan Blue Cross loves what they do, they’re passionate about the services and products they offer, and they care about the people they work with every day—their customers, their colleagues, their communities. You can count on Saskatchewan Blue Cross to help you manage your benefits and make thoughtful healthcare decisions.
Check out their Getting Started guide to find helpful FAQs and instructions on how to download and utilize their mobile app.
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In partnership with your employer, Homeweb is introducing the Homewood Pathfinder Suite. Homewood Pathfinder is designed to enhance Homeweb - your current online mental health and wellness portal. It will assess the reason for accessing the program, determine how serious your concern is, your level of risk and your care preferences and offer you the right Employee Assistance Program service or resource at the right time. Where clinically appropriate you are able to book services or connect with a professional immediately, and through Pathfinder you can also manage service scheduling. | |
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Elected/Appointed officials and people with LTD benefits can sign up today and start using Homewood Pathfinder!
YOUR CUSTOMER ACCOUNT NAME IS:
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM)
YOUR INVITATION CODE IS:
SAR995
To register a new account
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Visit: Homeweb.ca or click here
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Click ‘Sign Up’ to create an account and enter your invitation code
- Enter your name, preferred email address and a few other pieces of information to create your profile
- A key component of Pathfinder, Homewood PulseCheck will ask for a few additional details including how you’re feeling and your primary area of interest or concern
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Check out Ecopest's Spring 2023 Flyer for featured rodenticide products for mice, rats, and gophers. Email products@ecopest.ca to get pricing for Pest Control Products.
Receive an additional 5% off on orders placed by May 15, 2023.
Free shipping on orders over $2500.
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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:
- Fire Bans and Emergency Preparedness
- Municipal Safety Manual
- Civic Addressing
- Municipal Leaders' Roles and Responsibilities
- Tendering and Procurement Best Practices
- Mental Wellness in Agriculture – Fostering Resiliency
- Nuclear Power in Saskatchewan
- Principles for Positive Employment Relations
- And more
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SARM was happy to continue discussions yesterday with @SKGov
Minister of Environment, Dana Skoropad, around the environmental issues in rural Saskatchewan, including wildlife populations. #RuralMatters #SkPoli
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SARM President Ray Orb, Vice President Bill Huber, Executive Director Jay Meyer, and Division 5 Director Judy Harwood attending #SUMA2023 this week. Thank you @SUMAConnect
for your hospitality. We hope your event continues to be a great success.
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