|
January 6, 2026
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
- SARM Resolution Response
- Strategic Communications
- 2026 SARM Outlook Calendar
- In Memoriams for SARM Convention Guide
- Risk Management
- Programs
- Member Purchasing
- SARM and Canoe's Partnership with LBMX Inc.
- Notice of Planned Procurement Posting on SaskTenders
- Community Planning
- Finance & Administration
- SARM Classifieds
- Member Services
- Introduction to SARM's HR Service
| |
- Feedback on the Renewal of Saskatchewan's Solid Waste Management Strategy
- Announcements
- Strong Uptake for School Playground Equipment Program
| | |
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.
| |  |
| |
SARM Resolution Response
SARM has received a response from the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA) pertaining to a resolution passed at the 2025 SARM Midterm Convention. Click the link below to review the response.
| | 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. | | |
| |
2026 SARM Outlook Calendar
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 '2026 SARM Member Calendar’, please click the link below to download the file. Once the calendar has finished downloading, right click the file in your Downloads folder and select "Open with Outlook" to import the contents into your Outlook calendar.
| | |
In Memoriams for SARM Convention Guide
In Memoriams for the year 2025 must be submitted to SARM by January 15, 2026, to be included in the 2026 SARM Annual Convention Guide. Please use the online form linked below for all submissions. Please note submissions after this deadline will be acknowledged in the 2027 Annual Convention Guide.
| | 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. | | |
| 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 and Canoe's Partnership with LBMX Inc.
SARM and Canoe are pleased to announce our partnership with LBMX Inc., a leading B2B platform of technology solutions for buying groups.
This partnership will allow SARM Members to access their invoices for purchases through Canoe and Sourcewell purchasing programs through a dedicated portal, within hours of making the purchase, rather than filling up your inbox slowly over time.
What to expect from the LBMX platform for all invoices that you receive from Canoe and Sourcewell:
- Members will have a web-based portal to self-direct their experience
- Members control when, where, and who accesses their invoices, with no limit to the number of log-ins
- Members can review and download invoices, as well as dispute any invoice for reasons of warranty or error immediately
- Enhanced real-time visibility into all purchases with analytics and reporting
- Errors are caught or eliminated at the source, and delays in invoicing are reduced
- Canoe staff will always be at the ready to assist with any portal or invoicing issues or queries!
- Members will continue to enjoy the convenience of paying their invoices through SARM as your currently do. Likewise, all Canoe / Sourcewell derived invoices will continue to be reflected on your monthly SARM statements
Next Steps
Please watch for an email from LBMX inviting you to a webinar that will walk you through logging in and using the site.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Vicki Barton at vicki@rmalberta.com or Craig Williams at cwilliams@sarm.ca.
| | |
Notice of Planned
Procurement Posting on
SaskTenders
Effective January 1, 2026
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, 2026, 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 2026 should not be posted on SaskTenders until January 1, 2026. 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’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:
RM of Huron No. 223, RM Patrol Operator, Jan 6 - Close
RM of Blaine Lake No. 434, Maintenance/Equipment Operator Jan 8 - Close
Town of Radisson, Administrator, Jan 9 - Close
RM of Ituna Bon Accord No. 246, Rural Municipal Administrator, Jan 13 - Close
RM of Miry Creek No. 229, Grader Operator Jan 16 - Close
RM of South Qu’Appelle No. 157, Administrator, Jan 18 - Close
RM of South Qu’Appelle No. 157, (4) 2026 Seasonal Truck Driver(s), Jan 18 - Close
Town of Hepburn, Chief Administrative Officer, Jan 19 - Close
RM of Chaplin No. 164, Administrator, Jan 19 - Close
RM of Reno No. 51, Assistant Foreman/Operator, Jan 22 - Close
RM of South Qu’Appelle No. 157, 2026 Seasonal Equipment Operator(s), Jan 26 - Close
RM Frontier No. 19, Maintenance Operator, Jan 31 - Close
RM of Enterprise No. 142, Maintenance/Utility, Jan 31 - Close
RM of Webb No. 138, Administrator, Jan 31 - Close
RM of Arborfield No. 456 & Town of Arborfield, Joint-Office Administrator, Jan 31 - Close
RM of White Valley No. 49, Seasonal Utility Operator, Feb 6 - Close
RM of Wheatlands No. 163, Seasonal Operator, Feb 6 - Close
| | | |
Looking to Buy/Sell:
RM of McCraney No. 282, Craig Dozer Blade, Jan 8 - Close
RM of Biggar No. 347, Equipment For Sale, Jan 16 - Close
RM of Tecumseh No. 65, 2013 Schulte SDX-117 Snowblower, Feb 6 - 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.
| |
| SARM’s Member Services Team is dedicated to providing valuable services that meet the specific needs of SARM's member rural municipalities. | | |
| |
Introduction to SARM’s HR Service
SARM will begin offering Human Resources consulting services to members across Saskatchewan on January 5, 2026. We understand that this is a need for many RMs and we look forward to being able to offer advice and support on a wide range of HR issues. RM’s will be able to access services including advice on people issues, hiring, terminations, performance management, compensation, recruitment, retention, change management, conflict resolution, training and many other HR related issues.
Our new HR service is being offered through our partner Knibbs HR Consulting. Knibbs HR is a Métis-owned Saskatchewan firm that has been supporting organizations since 2002 with practical, people-first HR solutions rooted in respect, clarity, and partnership. Their work helps organizations bring strategy, culture, and people systems into alignment while strengthening the internal confidence and capability of leaders and teams. Known for their objectivity, compassion, and actionability, Knibbs HR explains the “why,” shares knowledge generously, and leaves workplaces more equipped than when they arrived. Whether developing HR tools, guiding difficult conversations, shaping culture, or coaching leaders through change, they remain grounded in practical professionalism. Learn more at www.knibbs.ca.
This HR Service will principally provide rural municipalities with advice on people issues. Our HR Service will also work in collaboration with our Legal Services team, or your usual legal counsel to provide holistic advice and opinions when employment matters necessitate.
| | |
Fee: $230 per hour for HR Consulting
$95 per hour for Administrative and Support Services
How to Access Services:
Beginning on January 5th, if you have a human resources inquiry or require HR services you can contact: hr@sarm.ca.
| | | |
Feedback on the Renewal of Saskatchewan's Solid Waste
Management Strategy
In 2020, the Ministry of Environment released the Solid Waste Management Strategy to address the ongoing challenges in waste management, identify potential new economic opportunities for industry, and outline the government’s commitments for action. The strategy sets goals and priorities, establishing the government’s direction and commitment to solid waste management.
The strategy is now up for its five-year renewal. A renewed strategy will build on our achievements and identify new opportunities to enhance waste management in Saskatchewan.
The ministry invites you to review the discussion paper and provide your valuable feedback by January 15, 2026. The discussion paper, a survey, and contact information can be found through the link below.
| | SARM is now on Bluesky! Follow us here: @sarm.ca | | | | |
