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July 2025
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| | In this edition of the Rural Sheaf... | |
- Advocacy
- 2025 SARM Midterm Resolution Deadline
- Strategic Communications
- SARM Online Calendar
- 2025 Midterm & 2026 Annual Convention Accommodations
- Lieutenant Governor's Award Nominations
- Local Government Recruitment Video
- Update SARM RM Directory
- #RuralMatters
- Risk Management
- Process Claims Faster with the Member Portal & Apps
- Programs
- Gopher Control Program Claim Deadline
- MLDP Community and Land Use Planning Module
- Rural Municipal Administrator Internship Program (MAIP)
- RIRG Project 2025 Intake
- Rural Road Classification Committee (RRCC)
- Member Purchasing
- Supplier Highlight: EV Charging Station Program
- Community Planning
- Finance & Administration
- SARM Classifieds
- Member Services
- SARM HR Services Pilot Program Update
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- SCIC Modernizes Wildlife Damage Claims
- Targeted Sector Support (TSS) Initiative
- Municipalities Today - July 2025
- Announcements
- Saskatchewan Wildfire Update July 28
- Crop Report for the Period July 15 to July 21, 2025
- New and Enhanced Health care Positions Announced to Strengthen Rural and Remote Services Across Saskatchewan
| | - Looking for Statistics About Rural Canada?
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- Battery Safety Awareness Campaign
- AgH2Onward Online Series
- (4 Module) Aboriginal Consultation and Negotiating a Consultation Agreement
- Webinar Series: Alcohol Policy in Canadian Municipalities
- Call for Projects: Wildfire-Resilient Infrastructure
- OTC Needs Assessment Survey
- OTC Seeking Examples of Cooperation, Collaboration, and Partnership
- Community Art Project funded by the RM of Laurier
- Barrier Free Saskatchewan: Working Toward an Accessible Future for All - We Want to Hear from You!
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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.
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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.
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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. | | |
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SARM Interactive Online Calendar - August 2025
View the SARM Interactive Online Calendar to access the full year on the SARM website. This version is updated regularly as new dates of interest and deadlines are identified and should be viewed as the most current.
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Deadlines
August 1:
August 10:
August 15:
- To prepare tax roll
- For submitting the mill rate return to Government Relations
- For CRA source deductions
August 31:
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Meetings
- Committee Meeting: August 6
- Committee Meeting: August 12
- Board Meeting: August 13-14
Monthly Reminder(s)
- MEPP employee and employer contributions through PLANet, as well as submitting payment is due within 15 days from the end of the pay period
Special Days
- Saskatchewan Day: August 4
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2025 Midterm & 2026 Annual Convention Accommodations
Be sure to book your hotel stays in advance to take advantage of the hotel blocks that have been set aside for delegates during SARM's annual and midterm conventions. Hotel blocks are limited, so once they have been filled there is no guaranteed space/pricing.
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SARM has booked blocks at the following hotels in Regina:
- Comfort Suites Regina
- Courtyard by Marriott
- DoubleTree by Hilton
- Home Inn & Suites Regina Airport
- The Atlas
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Lieutenant Governor's Award for
Outstanding Service to Rural Saskatchewan
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Do you know a reeve, councillor, or administrator with an inspiring story?
Nominations for the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service to Rural Saskatchewan are now open!
The 2026 nomination period runs until December 31, 2025.
To submit a nomination or request a nomination form, please contact:
Kathleen Israel,
Selection Committee Secretary
executivecoordinator@sarm.ca or 306.761.3731
2301 Windsor Park Road,
Regina, Saskatchewan S4V 3A4
To learn more about this award and how to submit a nomination, refer to the LGA Guidelines Document linked below or visit the SARM website.
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Local Government Recruitment
SARM encourages all rural residents to consider running for municipal council. Many RMs are experiencing vacancies on councils, and this presents an opportunity for individuals to get involved with the issues that directly affect daily life for the people in rural Saskatchewan.
| | Most of the hesitations people have about running for council have to do with outdated stereotypes and flat-out myths, such as not being an expert on municipal government, not having political experience, being more of a listener than a talker, or about the amount of time it takes to get involved. | | | To help dispel these stereotypes and myths, SARM has created the following video. RMs can use this video in their communities to help recruit municipal council members. | | |
Update 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.
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News Release:
Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation Offers Support to Landowners Facing Gopher Overpopulation
June 25, 2025
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| | | | As a member of the Hudson Bay Route Association, SARM is in full support of establishing a northern trade corridor by leveraging key existing infrastructure, including the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway, to increase Saskatchewan’s exports to global markets. | | SARM is encouraged by the changes implemented to the AgriStability Program for 2025 and 2026. We will continue to meet with ag producers and industry representatives from across Saskatchewan to advocate for their interests to senior levels of government, as agriculture is the very foundation of our rural communities. | | | | | Members of the SARM board toured areas affected by drought in the RM of Maple Creek with the Sask Minister of Agriculture. SARM will continue to advocate for assistance for the drought stricken areas throughout the province. | | 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. | | |
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Process Claims Faster with the Member Portal & Apps
Submit your claims the fast and easy way!
Ensure your health benefits are processed quickly and conveniently. Skip the paperwork and wait times. The quickest way to get your claim processed is to submit it online at portal.sk.bluecross.ca or using the SK Blue Cross App, available for iOS and Android.
Certain benefits are eligible for Real-Time Adjudication (RTA), which is the immediate processing and payment of an eligible claim. Benefits available for RTA include:
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- Acupuncturist
- Athletic Therapist
- Audiologist
- Chiropractor
- Clinical Psychologist
- Counsellor
- Dietitian
- Foot Care Nurse
- Massage Therapist
- Naturopath
- Occupational Therapist
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- Osteopath
- Physiotherapist
- Podiatrist
- Reflexologist
- Social Worker
- Speech Therapist
- Prescription Drugs
- Vision
- Orthodontic Treatment (where Prior Authorization present)
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Need help with an existing claim?
If you’ve already sent in a claim and are facing longer than anticipated time for reimbursement, and financial assistance is required to bridge the gap, please call our Member Experience Centre at 1.800.667.6853. Let us know you need your claim prioritized and we’ll do everything we can to help. No judgment – just support.
| | 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. | | |
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Gopher Control Program
Claim Deadline: July 31, 2025
| | | To learn more about the Gopher Control Program, scan the QR code or visit the SARM website. | | | | |
Municipal Leadership
Development Program
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.
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Community and Land Use Planning
The Community and Land Use Planning module will cover a variety of topics including: the roles and responsibilities of council, administration and the public; the creation, adoption, and amendment process for Official Community Plans and Zoning Bylaws; the subdivision process; servicing agreements; the development permit process; the development appeal board process; enforcing bylaws; the building permit process as well as regional planning.
This module is offered online through Southeast College.
Date: Always Available
Location: Virtual
Cost: $75 + GST
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Rural Municipal Administrator
Internship Program (MAIP)
Step into the role of internship supervision and shape the future one-on-one! The Rural Municipal Administrator Internship Program (MAIP) offers a unique opportunity for Class A or Superior A Rural Administrators to provide individualized training and foster professional competency in future rural municipal administrators by helping them attain the necessary competencies and required hours for their “Rural Class C certification” throughout the 52-week internship period.
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Why Choose to be a MAIP Internship Supervisor?
- Legacy Building: By investing in aspiring rural municipal administrators, you leave a lasting legacy of healthy local government in rural communities.
- Tailored Development: Customize the internship experience to address specific skills and goals, ensuring maximum impact, offering practical guidance, feedback, and real-world insights that go beyond academic learning.
- Leadership and Strategic Skill Building: Hone your leadership skills by actively participating in the growth and development of a future Administrator.
- Financial Benefit: Upon approval, SARM will provide the selected host rural municipalities with a $17,000 grant intended to cost share the intern’s salary. The supervising administrator of record will also receive a $3,000 honorarium upon successfully completing the internship supervision.
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| If you would like to learn more about becoming a supervising administrator for a MAIP intern, please check out the information on the SARM website or call Dustin Resch, Director of Capacity Building & Programs, at 306.761.3945. | | |
RIRG Project 2025 Intake
The RIRG Program Application Intake for Road, Bridge & Large Diameter Culvert Projects will be opening in September 2025.
For more information, please visit the RIRG website, scan the QR code, or email info@rirg.ca with any questions or concerns.
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Rural Road Classification Committee (RRCC)
The Rural Road Classification Committee (RRCC) represents SARM’s membership in the classification of rural roads. This Committee, established in 2000 as a joint effort with the provincial government and SUMA, allows members to submit change requests for road classification.
RMs can apply for road classification changes through the following online form:
| | | 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. | | |
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EV Charging Station Program
As more people are purchasing electric vehicles, you need to be ready with charging options. The Canoe EV Charging Station Program will help you get charging stations faster, more cost-effectively, and best of all, through a convenient procurement process.
| | | 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. | | |
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SARM Classifieds
The following municipalities/towns/villages 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 Vanscoy No. 345, Community Planner, July 29 - Close
RM of Sarnia No. 221, Administrator, July 31 - Close
RM of Lakeside No. 338, Grader Operator, Aug 2 - Close
Resort Village of West End, Administrator, Aug 4 - Close
Town of Rosetown, CAO, Aug 7 - Close
RM of Edenwold No. 158, Public Works Lead Operator (Urban), Aug 7 - Close
Village of Chaplin, Foreman, Aug 7 - Close
Town of Luseland, Economic Development Officer, Luseland & District Chamber of Commerce, Aug 11 - Close
RM of Big Stick No. 141, Grader Operator/Labourer, Aug 12 - Close
RM of Marquis No. 191, Operating Foreman, Aug 22 - Close
RM of Lacadena No. 228, Foreman, Aug 29 - Close
RM of Usborne No. 310, Administrator, Sept 10 - Close
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Looking to Buy/Sell:
RM of Lacadena No. 228, 2001 JD 7410 Tractor, Aug 1 - Close
RM of Lacadena No. 228, 2001 GMC 1-Ton, Aug 1 - Close
RM of Lacadena No. 228, 2011 F150, Aug 1 - Close
RM of Lacadena No. 228, 2015 Schulte Series 3 Mower with Side Arm, Aug 1 - Close
RM of Lacadena No. 228, 2017 Schulte Series 4 Mower with Side Arm, Aug 1 - Close
RM of Lacadena No. 228, 1980 Schulte Snow Blowers, Aug 1 - Close
RM of Lacadena No. 228, V-Plow, Aug 1 - Close
RM of Langenburg No. 181, 3 Point Hitch/Truck Mounted Sprayer, Aug 4 - Close
RM of Fertile Valley No. 285, 2022 Bush Hog Rotary Cutter, Aug 8 - Close
RM of Fertile Valley No. 285, 2020 CAT 140 LVR AWD Grader, Aug 8 - Close
RM of Hillsdale No. 440, 2014 - 6150R John Deere Tractor, Aug 31 - Close
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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.
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| SARM’s Member Services Team is dedicated to providing valuable services that meet the specific needs of SARM's member rural municipalities. | | |
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SARM HR Services Pilot Program Update
In February, SARM launched a pilot HR service for members in Divisions 2 and 5 to assess both the demand for, and the potential structure of, a new service offering. Developed in partnership with MCQUEEN, this service was designed to provide RMs with advice and support on a wide range of human resources issues. Mirroring our legal services, the HR support was offered on a fee-for-service basis.
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As of the end of June, we have paused new client intake in the HR program, to evaluate the results of the pilot. We are pleased with the level of interest and engagement the service received. It is clear there is strong demand for this type of support to address your staffing and personnel needs. We are now in the process of seeking feedback from participants on all aspects of the program, including service offerings, delivery, provider, and cost. These insights, along with our learnings over the past few months, will play a key role in shaping what a permanent HR service from SARM might look like.
You will hear more from us in the fall about the future of the HR program, so please stay tuned.
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SCIC Modernizes Wildlife Damage Claims
The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) continues to support producers facing losses due to wildlife through the Wildlife Damage Compensation and Prevention Program. If wildlife has damaged your crop, SCIC encourages you to report your loss and register a claim.
Technology Enhances Inspections
In 2024, SCIC launched a pilot program integrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology into the wildlife damage claims process. This innovative approach uses UAVs and artificial intelligence to enhance inspections, reduce manual observation time and provide producers with AI-generated maps that illustrate damage and support claim calculations.
Starting as early as 2025, UAV mapping will be integrated into the claims process for certain types of wildlife damage. These inspections take place in standing crop before harvest, helping assess crop loss and determine whether prevention strategies are needed. Traditional inspection methods will continue to be used for swathed crop claims involving big game.
How UAV and AI Technology Work Together
As part of the updated inspection process, UAVs capture between 250 to 350 high-resolution images while flying over the producer’s field. These images are then stitched together using software to create a detailed, full field view. The first image shows the stitched aerial photo of the field before AI analysis. The second image with red trails is the result of AI processing, which identifies wildlife trails and beds and calculates the total crop damage.
| | | | Stitched Aerial Photo with AI | | |
Submit Your Claim
To ensure accurate assessments and timely compensation, producers are encouraged to report wildlife damage as soon as it is observed and before harvesting the affected crop.
All Saskatchewan producers who report farm income and expenses are eligible for this program—no prior enrolment or SCIC coverage is required. Eligible producers may receive 100 per cent compensation for damage to commercial agricultural products, as outlined in the Wildlife Damage and Livestock Predation Regulations.
To register a wildlife damage claim, producers can contact their local SCIC office or call 1.888.935.0000.
| | | Targeted Sector Support Initiative | | |
The Targeted Sector Support (TSS) Initiative is a cost-shared grant program that uses a portion of Municipal Revenue Sharing ($1.5 million per fiscal year) to support projects that strengthen municipalities’ core operational capabilities through increased regional cooperation.
Projects under this program are intended to assist in supporting more efficient and effective municipal service delivery, and enhanced governance and administrative capacity in Saskatchewan. Partnering municipalities can apply for up to 75 per cent on eligible project costs to strengthen their core municipal responsibilities.
Applications are now being accepted at any time of the year and will be reviewed on a monthly basis.
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Looking for Statistics
About Rural Canada?
Statistics Canada
Take a minute to watch this video to learn what’s available.
Statistics Canada delivers timely rural and small town data that are relevant to your area, so that you can get the facts on demographics, housing, business, trade and proximity to services.
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Battery Safety Awareness Campaign
Call2Recycle
As Canada’s leading organization for battery collection, recycling, and safety education, Call2Recycle is proud to launch the second edition of its annual Battery Safety Awareness campaign: Protect What Matters. Be Battery Safe.
Every day, Canadians rely on batteries to power their devices, from smoke detectors and laptops to e-bikes and toys, keeping us connected, moving, and entertained. But with convenience comes responsibility. If not handled or disposed of properly, those same batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, can pose a risk to people, property, and the environment.
As your waste and recycling service provider, we care about the safety and well-being of our staff, community, and the planet.
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AgH2Onward Online Series
Water Security Agency
Drainage is an important tool for Saskatchewan farmers to manage water on their land and increase efficiency, profitability and resiliency. Just like any other tool on the farm, understanding how to use it responsibly is important. Producers can manage water to improve farm efficiency and soil health, reduce farm inputs, and increase food production, all while still practicing environmental stewardship and safeguarding against downstream flooding.
AgH2Onward is a free online series of videos and reading materials that will introduce you to responsible water management and how Water Security Agency’s (WSAs) drainage approval process will enhance your farms efficiency while supporting environmental stewardship.
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(4 Module) Aboriginal Consultation and Negotiating
a Consultation Agreement
Mâwandônan Consulting
Is your organization having challenges making inroads with Aboriginal people and Aboriginal Organizations. Are you an Aboriginal group who wants to better engage with Industry?
If you want to better consult with Aboriginal People/Industry or you are in a position that requires that you engage Aboriginal People/Industry (I.E. Stakeholder Relations, Consultation Department, Community Relations, Chief and Council, Surface Land, Aboriginal Relations) and have asked questions, then this 4-module workshop is for you.
This 4-module workshop is designed to provide practical solutions:
- Solutions that are based on the combined expertise of a First Nation law graduate who has worked for both Industry and Aboriginal groups for over 25 years and
- A First Nation Consultant who has been in business since 1996 and has worked specifically in the area of Aboriginal Consultation since 2010.
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Webinar Series: Alcohol Policy in Canadian Municipalities
CAPE Community of Practice
This Fall-Winter webinar series is being hosted by the Canadian Alcohol Policy Evaluation (CAPE) project at the University of Victoria. The CAPE project is a well-established Canada-wide resource for supporting and developing public health-oriented alcohol policy. It has an existing 600+ member community of practice that has mostly focused on provincial/territorial and federal level policy to date. We are offering this special webinar series to increase connections with and learn from those working in municipal, local government and/or community-level contexts.
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These webinars will offer people involved in municipal and local government across Canada an opportunity to:
- hear about examples of local-level policies and strategies that have been effective at balancing public-health concerns with community needs
- discuss legal frameworks for alcohol policies, latest research evidence, and resources
- share their own experiences and network with others working on this issue; and
- help shape future research in this area
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Call for Projects: Wildfire-Resilient Infrastructure
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
With wildfire risks on the rise across Canada, the Climate Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS) has launched a new stream of support to help local governments and Indigenous communities make public buildings safer and more resilient.
- Communities under 30,000 can now access up to $20,000 in expert support, fully funded and coordinated by the CRIS team.
- Support includes tailored advice on fire-resilient design, materials, and indoor air quality for design or retrofit projects approved in a capital or work plan
- Eligible buildings include community centres, libraries, civic centres, water/wastewater facilities, fire halls, and more - submit your public infrastructure project!
The program output is a customized Technical Options Report with strategies and high-level cost estimates to help you determine the best-fitting solutions to incorporate wildfire resilience into the design or retrofit your infrastructure.
Submit your project in as little as 10-15 minutes before August 31, 2025.
The CRIS is facilitated by the Canadian Urban Institute and funded by the government of Canada.
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Community Art Project Funded by the RM of Laurier
Over the past several years, the RM of Laurier No. 38 and the Radville Regional School's Art Department have worked together on the beautification of the local Radville-Laurier Cemetary. A drab storage Sea-Can has been transformed into a local art piece for the community admire when visiting their late loved ones. Check out some photos of the art pieces below.
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