|
September 2, 2025
Note: Certain email platforms distort the Rural Dart formatting. It is viewed best as a webpage through your internet browser.
View as Webpage
| | In this edition of the Rural Dart... | |
- Advocacy
- 2025 SARM Midterm Resolution Deadline
- Strategic Communications
- Risk Management
- Programs
- Rural Integrated Roads for Growth Program
- RIRG Project 2025 Intake
- Changes to Road Design Requirements
- Member Purchasing
- Community Planning
- Finance & Administration
- SARM Classifieds
| |
- SGI Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant Program Deadline
- Announcements
- Prune Your Elms Starting September 1
- Crop Report for the Period August 19 to August 25, 2025
- Government Provides Support to Crown Land Grazing Lessees
| | - DFO Learning Session for Site Managers and Heavy Equipment Operators
| | - BloomCME Municipal Courses
| | |
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.
| |  |
| |
2025 SARM Midterm
Resolution Deadline
The deadline to submit resolutions for the 2025 SARM Midterm Convention is Sunday, September 21, 2025, end of day.
Resolutions must be received in the SARM office by this date in order to be addressed at the upcoming convention and included in the convention guide.
| | | |
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 linked below for details.
| | | 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. | | |
| SARM’s Risk Management Team is comprised of two distinct groups: Benefits & Insurance and Legal. These departments administer and facilitate various SARM and external partner insurance and benefit products, as well as provide legal solicitor services to member rural municipalities. | | |
| 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. | | |
| |
RIRG Project 2025 Intake
The RIRG Program Application Intake for Road, Bridge, and Large Diameter Culvert Projects has now opened!
The deadline to apply is November 15, 2025.
Application Forms:
| | | |
Application approvals are anticipated in January following the intake so that RMs can begin construction as soon as possible next year.
For more information, please visit the RIRG website, scan the QR code, or email info@rirg.ca with any questions or concerns.
| | | |
Changes to RIRG Road Design Requirements
In the spring of 2025, the Ministry of Highways undertook a review of the minimum geometric design criteria for road projects to be eligible for Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) funding. This review was initiated to address concerns from municipalities over the standard right-of-way (ROW) width, including a resolution made at the SARM convention.
| |
|
As a result, it recommended revising the policy to allow for more flexibility in the minimum purchased ROW required and updating other design requirements.
Revisions included:
- The required ROW will be subject to meeting all of the geometric design requirements, with the minimum ROW width being 30 m.
- The backslope may be within the purchased ROW or covered by a suitable landowner agreement.
Allowing the ROW to be less than 42 m where the terrain still allows the design to meet all other geometric requirements balances safety with real world limitations municipalities encounter. The requirement also differentiates high volume roads from low volume roads for the purpose of setting the minimum road width. This update brings the policy more in alignment with other standards used on the municipal system, as well as the existing widths of most higher volume roads.
The proposed revisions ensure safety is maintained in the road design which is being cost shared (50/50) through a ministry program.
These design requirement changes will be applicable to the next intake.
Please visit the RIRG Policy Manual, Road Design Requirements, for more information.
| | | | 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. | | |
| |
SARM Classifieds
The following municipalities/towns/villages have requested the information below to be distributed and will be billed for using this service.
| | |
Looking to Hire:
Town of Grenfell, Office Clerk, Sept 5 - Close
RM of Turtle River No. 469, Administrative Assistant, Sept 5 - Close
RM of Eagle Creek No. 376, Administrator, Sept 5 - Close
RM of Usborne No. 310, Administrator, Sept 10 - Close
RM of Pense No. 160, Utility/Equipment Operator, Sept 15 - Close
Town of Biggar, Deputy Administrator, Sept 26 - Close
RM of Lake Johnston No. 102, Administrator, Sept 26 - Close
RM of Sherwood No. 159, Manager of Finance, Sept 29 - Close
RM of Blaine Lake No. 434, Administrative Assistant, Sept 29 - Close
RM of Caledonia No. 99, Chief Administrative Officer, Sept 30 - Close
| | | |
Looking to Buy/Sell:
RM of Caron No. 162, 2009 Volvo Heavy Duty Truck, Sept 12 - Close
| | | |
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.
| |
| |
SGI Provincial Traffic Safety
Fund Grant Program
The Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant program enables projects to reduce traffic collisions, injuries, and fatalities in communities across Saskatchewan.
Approved projects are eligible to receive up to $100,000 per location in funding for infrastructure projects or on equipment and community outreach programs to help improve traffic safety.
| | |
Who Can Apply
Applicants representing Indigenous lands or territories and urban or rural municipalities are encouraged to apply with their traffic safety initiatives.
| | | |
How to Apply
Calls for new applications are open twice a year:
- January through March
- July through September
The application deadline for the second intake period is September 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 a second targeted session 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.
| | |
Fall Session:
Date: September 11, 2025
Time: 12:30-2:00 p.m. EST
| | | | | |
This fall in Saskatoon, Bloom Centre for Municipal Education is offering two highly practical, two-day in-person courses designed specifically for rural and urban municipalities.
Municipal Leadership (October 6–7) empowers leaders at all levels to build stronger teams, manage conflict, and turn vision into reality, while Operating Budget & Long-Term Tax Strategy Essentials (October 9–10) equips participants with the tools to strengthen financial stewardship, align budgets with council priorities, and support sustainable service delivery.
| | | Register before September 15th to receive a 25% early-bird discount, or take advantage of group discounts for teams of three or more registering together. | | | | |
