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
• Larry Grant, RM of Val Marie No. 17

Video addresses from each candidate will be posted in the May Rural Dart emails leading up to the election.

Municipal Legislation Consultation Update

Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations

The Municipalities Act, The Cities Act, and The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010 form the foundational legislative framework for all municipalities in the province. These acts provide the necessary powers and authority for council decisions, policies, and bylaws, while outlining municipal responsibilities.

In the summer of 2024, the Ministry of Government Relations initiated a comprehensive review of this legislative framework, focusing on The Cities Act, The Municipalities Act, and The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010. The primary objective of this review is to identify potential amendments that could enhance municipal governance.

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.

SPSA Seeks Young Leaders for New Youth Preparedness Council

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) is now accepting applications for a new Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). This council is designed for Saskatchewan students in Grades 8 to 12 who have a passion for public safety, emergency preparedness and community leadership.

The YPC provides a platform for youth to share their ideas, engage in collaborative projects and gain firsthand experience in emergency management and public education.

Selected members will serve on the council from September 2025 to June 2026. Members will be expected to participate in regularly scheduled virtual meetings that will consist of learning opportunities, project support and other collaborative activities.

For more information and to complete an application form, visit the link below. The 2025 YPC application period is open until July 14, 2025.

Targeted Sector Support Initiative

Saskatchewan Blue Cross Cards and EFAP Coverage for SARM Members

The Saskatchewan Blue Cross group benefits plan for SARM members now includes enhanced support through Homewood Health and Cleveland Clinic Canada, giving you and your family access to tailored, on-demand support for your mental and physical health.

Homewood Health’s EFAP program connects you to confidential, professional mental health and wellness services. Whether it’s counselling for anxiety, stress, or grief or coaching for work-life balance, parenting, or financial planning, Homewood is here to help. Their Enhanced Mental Health Care program even offers longer-term support for more complex needs, including up to 20 specialized counselling sessions. Register at homeweb.ca to access these resources today.

Cleveland Clinic Canada’s Express Care Online (ECO) service offers on-demand virtual medical consultations for your physical health. Available 24/7 across Canada, ECO lets you connect with a nurse practitioner for diagnoses, prescriptions, specialist referrals, and more—all from the comfort of your home. Simply download the Cleveland Clinic Express Care Online app to get started! (Apple | Android)

The Need for Change:

1. Saskatchewan continues to receive the lowest per capita investment from the Federal Government.
2. Persistent digital divide for individuals living on First Nations and in rural and remote communities.
3. 53% of the province does not have access to broadband 50/10 high-speed.
4. Saskatchewan is currently the only province without a provincial plan related to improving broadband infrastructure.
5. A large portion of the Saskatchewan population lives in rural areas, where connectivity is a concern. 

Call to Action:

As a committee we’ve outlined five key calls to action for the Provincial and Federal Government to develop of a Provincial Broadband Plan and receive greater investment in broadband infrastructure – outlined in the 2025 SBAC Briefing Note linked below.

To further our cause, our ask of you is to continue to raise this issue and ask questions with your local MLA and the Provincial Government. Together, we can achieve broadband parity for all Saskatchewan residents, regardless of address.

Ship and Rail Compensation Canada

– Rail Fund

Do trains carrying crude oil pass through your municipality? If yes, the Ship and Rail Compensation Canada – Rail Fund is a resource you should know about!

The Rail Fund compensates anyone affected by major rail accidents involving crude oil.

Municipalities and residents can access compensation from the Rail Fund for damages that exceed the liability limit of the railway company involved in the accident. It includes all the following damages and losses:

Municipal Leadership

Development Program (MLDP)

Community and Land Use Planning Module

The Municipal Leadership Development Program (MLDP) is a series of modules or workshops developed exclusively for elected and appointed municipal leaders in Saskatchewan. The modules target specific issues of importance to urban, rural, and northern municipalities. Reeves, mayors, councillors, and municipal staff are able to benefit from this program that is designed to strengthen local government leadership.

CCDC Seminar Coming to Regina: Register now!

With new Construction Management (CM) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) construction documents coming soon, the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) is thrilled to be hosting an in-person seminar in Regina from 8:00 to 12:30 on April 30, 2025.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Operating Safely in and Around Water: Navigating Legislation and Protecting Fish and Fish Habitat

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Partnerships team from the Ontario & Prairie region will be offering two targeted sessions for site managers and Heavy Equipment Operators engaged in work in or near water. It provides an overview of DFO’s key legislation, focusing on the responsibilities and regulations surrounding the protection of fish and fish habitat. The session will introduce site managers and operators to common threats that fish and fish habitat face due to construction and excavation activities. Participants will learn best practices to avoid impacts to fish and fish habitat, thus ensuring compliance with the Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act. Lastly, we will go over DFO’s project review process and provide advice on what types of projects should be reviewed by DFO prior to the start of any in water work. The same presentation and content will be delivered at each session.

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