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February 18, 2025
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SARM Elections
President, Vice President, Division 2, 4, & 6 Directors
As the nomination period for SARM's President, Vice President, and Directors for Divisions 2, 4, & 6 ended February 13th, 2025, at 5:00pm, SARM would like to announce that the following individuals have been ACCLAIMED to the SARM Board of Directors:
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President Bill Huber - RM of Tullymet No. 216 & RM of Lipton No. 217
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Vice President Darren Steinley - RM of Excelsior No. 166
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Division 2 Director Cody Jordison - RM of Lumsden No. 189
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Division 4 Director Myron Kopec - RM of Buchanan No. 34
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Division 6 Director Randy Aumack - RM of Meeting Lake No. 466
An election for the SARM Division 3 Director will be held this spring as per SARM's Governance Bylaw. Further details will follow shortly.
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2025 SARM Annual Convention Resolutions
The deadline to submit resolutions for the 2025 SARM Annual Convention has now passed. The final listing of resolutions that were submitted for convention have been posted on our website.
The resolutions for convention will also be available to delegates as part of our SARM Convention App and printed in the SARM Convention Guide.
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Saskatchewan Blue Cross Cards and EFAP Coverage for SARM Members
Effective March 4, 2025, Blue Cross will be making enhancements to our Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). 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)
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With these changes, there will be new ID cards mailed out with new ID numbers on them. Here are the things that will be required once your cards are received:
- Effective March 4, 2025, update your pharmacy and your dentist with your new ID number.
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Download the new app “SK Blue Cross: Group” and re-register. (Apple | Android)
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If you use the online portal, visit www.sk.bluecross.ca/portal, click register, and follow the prompts.
- Save your new digital ID card to your Apple or Google Wallet.
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Linked below is more information on the enhancements that are being made. Please share this information with all employees. | |
Awards/Nominations/Scholarships | |
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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.
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Active Transportation Fund
The Active Transportation Fund supports the development and enhancement of active transportation networks to provide Canadians with the opportunity to safely and affordably reach destinations by active modes of transportation. A minimum of 10% of the Active Transportation Fund’s funding will be allocated to projects that benefit Indigenous populations and communities.
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada understands the importance of shortening commute times for families, creating employment opportunities and promoting healthier lifestyles. To this end, funding will be provided to capital projects that involve new construction or enhancement of existing infrastructure that encourage travel by active methods, including sidewalks, multi-use paths and bike lanes.
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Community Rink Affordability Grant
Application Period
Applications for the 2024-25 Community Rink Affordability Grant opened 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 until February 28, 2025, and the grant is set to be paid out by March 2025.
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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.
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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).
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Weed Inspector and Pest Control
Officer Webinars
SARM Plant Health Technical Advisors and Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture have partnered to deliver free webinars once again in 2025. The event details for each session are listed below.
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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.
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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.
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Disclaimer: The following RMs have requested the information below to be distributed and will be billed for using this service. | |
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Looking to Hire:
RM of Buchanan No. 304, Maintenance Utility Operator, Feb 19 - Close
RM of Heart’s Hill No. 352, Heavy Equipment Operator, Feb 20 - Close
RM of Heart’s Hill No. 352, Equipment Operator/Labourer, Feb 20 - Close
RM of Val Marie No. 17, Equipment Operator, Feb 21 - Close
RM of Langenburg No. 181, Administrative Assistant, Feb 21 - Close
RM of Saskatchewan Landing No. 167, Utility/Equipment Operator, Feb 24 - Close
RM of Meeting Lake No. 466, Maintenance/Equipment Operator, Feb 28 - Close
RM of Prairie Rose No. 309, Equipment Operator, Feb 28 - Close
RM of Sarnia No. 221, Maintenance/Equipment Operator, Feb 28 - Close
RM of Wilton No. 472, Municipal Clerk, Mar 4 - Close
RM of White Valley No. 49, Grader Operator, Mar 4 - Close
RM of Maple Bush No. 224, Grader Operator/Maintenance Worker, Mar 5 - Close
RM of Mayfield No. 406, Mower Operator, Mar 6 - Close
RM of Viscount No. 341, Equipment Operator, Mar 7 - Close
RM of Pipestone No. 161, Chief Administrative Officer, Mar 10 - Close
RM of South Qu’Appelle No. 157, Foreman, Mar 11 - Close
RM of Montmartre No. 126, Equipment Operator, Mar 12 - Close
RM of Calder No. 241, Mower Operator, Mar 14 - Close
RM of Kindersley No. 290, Administrator, Mar 15 - Close
RM of Lakeview No. 337, Administrator, Mar 15 - Close
RM of Langenburg No. 181, Seasonal Operator, Mar 15 - Close
Town of Shellbrook, Chief Administrative Officer, Mar 15 - Close
RM of Sarnia No. 221, Administrator, Mar 18 - Close
RM of Biggar No. 347, Equipment Operator, Mar 30 - Close
RM of Livingston No 331, Administrator, Mar 31 - Close
RM of Enfield No. 194, 2013 John Deere Tractor with Loader, Mar 31 - Close
RM of Monet No. 257, Equipment Operator (2), Mar 14 - Close
Looking to Buy/Sell:
There are no active buy/sell ads.
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SARM Classifieds Submissions
Ad postings for the SARM Classifieds can be submitted through the online submission forms. For questions, contact 306.757.3577 or sarm@sarm.ca.
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To view past issues of the Rural Dart, visit the Publications page on the SARM website. | | | | | | |
