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March 3, 2026
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| | In this edition of the Rural Dart... | |
- Advocacy
- SARM Resolution Response
- Strategic Communications
- Next Week's Rural Dart
- Risk Management
- Programs
- Municipal Leadership Development Program (MLDP)
- Winter/Spring 2026 Modules
- Important Notice Regarding MLDP
- Member Purchasing
- LBMX Trade Webinar
- Community Planning
- Finance & Administration
- SARM Classifieds
- Member Services
- Introduction to SARM's HR Service
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- Introducing Satellite Forage Insurance
- Announcements
- Saskatchewan Expanding Patient Access to Primary Care Through Additional Nurse Practitioner Contracts
- March Proclaimed as Agriculture Literacy Month in Saskatchewan
| | - 2026 Dig Safe Awareness Breakfasts
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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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SARM Resolution Response
SARM has received a response from Federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations 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. | | |
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Next Week's Rural Dart
Please note that next week’s Rural Dart email will be postponed due to the annual convention. The next Rural Dart email will be published on March 17th.
| | | 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. | | |
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Municipal Leadership
Development Program (MLDP)
Winter/Spring 2026 Modules
| | 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. Mayors, reeves, councillors, and municipal staff are able to benefit from this program that is designed to strengthen local government leadership. | | The registration deadline for the March 9th modules is March 4th. Registration for the April 11th is still open. | | | |
Strategic and Financial Planning for Municipalities
Get to know how Council and staff plan for municipal success. Everything from setting strategic priorities and community engagement to developing action plans and the financial framework to achieve the desired outcomes.
This interactive and engaging session will see participants gaining insight into how to move from Thought to Action with tips and tools to make sure everyone is aligned and committed to common goals. This module will provide attendees with an overview of financial planning – the budget process, with a focus on where the money comes from. Learn about the relationship between assessment and taxation, tax tools, municipal borrowing, and investments and an intro to asset management.
Date: Monday, March 9th
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: University of Regina, College Ave Campus, Regina
Date: Saturday, April 11th
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: REAL District, Regina
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Municipal Economic Development Fundamentals
This module helps find answers to key questions about economic development – what is economic development, who are the players, what role can the municipality play and what are the returns? The course objectives will assist participants to: develop an understanding of economic development principles & theories; review the context for economic development; discuss concerns and problems common to economic development in Western Canada; and introduce processes and skills applied in economic development.
Date: Monday, March 9th
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: University of Regina, College Ave Campus, Regina
Date: Saturday, April 11th
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: REAL District, Regina
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Human Resources in the Municipal Workplace
As employers, Councils need to know: what are your responsibilities to your employees who carry out your directions and deliver municipal services? This highly interactive session gives participants an overview of the labour market, the role of Council and administration, the legislative framework, how to deal with conflict, the hiring and dismissal processes, the importance of orientation and motivation, and how to manage performance.
Date: Monday, March 9th
Time: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Location: University of Regina, College Ave Campus, Regina
Date: Saturday, April 11th
Time: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Location: REAL District, Regina
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Strategic Communications for Municipalities
Formerly known as Public Relations and Communications for Municipalities, this module teaches how to effectively communicate with your ratepayers as well as the media. Learn how to become proactive. Special tips will be given on public speaking and techniques used by print, radio, television, and other media.
Date: Saturday, April 11th
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: REAL District, Regina
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*Dates and location are subject to change.
For more information or to register for a module, click the link below.
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Important Notice Regarding MLDP
- SARM has decided to step away as the administrator of the Municipal Leadership Development Program (MLDP) after the Spring 2026 sessions.
- It is yet to be determined if another MLDP partner organization will take over the program.
- If any of your council or staff are interested in the current MLDP modules, it would be recommended to participate in the Spring 2026 sessions.
- Stay tuned 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. | | |
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LBMX Trade Webinar
Canoe and SARM are pleased to announce our partnership with LBMX Inc., a leading provider of technology solutions for buying groups.
The ability to exchange electronic business transactions efficiently is crucial to optimizing service for our Vendor and Member Partners.
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming LBMX Trade webinar, featuring training on Invoices & Accounts Payable processing. This session has been specifically designed to help you get up to speed with Canoe’s new platform and get hands-on guidance from our team of experts.
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What You’ll Learn:
- Benefits of the LBMX Trade Platform
- Register your account via the LBMX User Registration email
- Navigate the Trade landing page
- Update your User Profile
- Add and edit users within your organization
- Use and configure KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)
- View and process Invoices, including
- Searching and filtering results
- Saving and printing
- Changing View/Print options
- Questions and Answers
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As part of this webinar, we will be covering the basics of the platform to ensure you are able to hit the ground running and help answer any questions you may have.
As a reminder, 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.
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Please follow the link below to the webinar registration.
Date: Friday, March 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. MT
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Please feel free to share this invitation with any team members who might benefit from the training.
We look forward to working together to make this initiative a success.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Vicki Barton or Craig Williams.
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Craig Williams
Director of Member Services and Strategic Projects, SARM
cwilliams@sarm.ca
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Vicki Barton
Manager of Accounting, Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA)
vicki@rmalberta.com
| | | 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 Britannia No. 502, Equipment Operator(s), Mar 3 - Close
RM of Britannia No. 502, Operations Coordinator, Mar 3 - Close
RM of Langenburg No. 181, Administrator, Mar 4 - Close
RM of Langenburg No. 181, Administrative Assistant, Mar 4 - Close
City of Lloydminster, Intergovernmental Relations Advisor, Mar 4 - Close
RM of Montrose No. 315, Administrator, Mar 6 - Close
RM of Lawtonia No. 135, Equipment Operator, Mar 10 - Close
RM of Willow Creek No. 458, Administrator, Mar 10 - Close
RM of Willow Creek No. 458, Heavy Equipment Operator, Mar 10 - Close
Town of Radisson, Administrator, Mar 10 - Close
County of Vermilion River, Chief Administrative Officer, Mar 12 - Close
RM of Round Valley No. 410, Assistant Administrator, Mar 12 - Close
RM of Round Valley No. 410, Equipment Operator, Mar 12 - Close
RM of Wood Creek No. 281, Truck Driver, Mar 16 - Close
RM of Walpole No. 92, Operator, Mar 17 - Close
RM of Walpole No. 92, Seasonal Maintenance Operator, Mar 17 - Close
RM of Spiritwood No. 496, Heavy Equipment Operator, Mar 20 - Close
RM of Whiska Creek No. 106, Administrator, Mar 20 - Close
RM of Cote No. 271, Administrator, Mar 23 - Close
RM of Wolverine No. 340, Administrator, Mar 24 - Close
RM of Harris No. 316, Tractor Operator, Mar 25 - Close
RM of Meota No. 468, Equipment Operator/Maintenance, Mar 27 - Close
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Looking to Buy/Sell:
RM of Moose Jaw, 2000 Schulte Mower, Mar 10 - Close
RM of Lajord No. 128, 2021 JD 870G Grader and Front Plow, Mar 16 - Close
RM of Prairie Rose No. 309, 1971 Terex Buggy, Mar 30 - 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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Introduction to SARM’s HR Service
SARM now offers Human Resources consulting services to members across Saskatchewan. We understand that this is a need for many RMs and we are excited to offer advice and support on a wide range of HR issues. RM’s can 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 principally provides rural municipalities with advice on people issues. Our HR Service also works in collaboration with our Legal Services team, or your usual legal counsel to provide holistic advice and opinions when employment matters necessitate.
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Fee: $230 per hour for HR Consulting
$95 per hour for Administrative and Support Services
How to Access Services:
If you have a human resources inquiry or require HR services you can contact: hr@sarm.ca.
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Introducing Satellite Forage Insurance
For 2026, Satellite Forage Insurance replaced the Forage Rainfall Insurance Program (FRIP). FRIP is no longer available and all existing FRIP customers are automatically enrolled in Satellite Forage Insurance.
Satellite Forage Insurance provides coverage when there is a shortage of soil moisture. It uses satellite-based technology to measure soil moisture, an important factor in forage production.
Program details:
- Claims and premiums are now localized at the township level where the insured hay or pasture is located
- High, medium and low coverage levels are available, varying by soil zone
- There are two monthly weighting options available for producers to tailor their coverage:
- Option 1 (default): May 30%, June 55%, and July 15%
- Option 2: May 40%, June 50%, and July 10%
Information packages, including coverage options and premium, were sent out in the mail.
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Webinar
Join our upcoming webinar Satellite Forage Insurance: Innovative, Localized and Responsive Coverage. We’ll walk through how the program works, including how it provides coverage to support forage production.
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Deadlines
The deadline to apply, reinstate, cancel or make changes to a Crop Insurance contract, including Satellite Forage Insurance, is March 31. Unless changes are made, selected options remain the same as last year.
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2026 Dig Safe Awareness Breakfasts
You are invited to REGISTER for a Dig Safe Awareness Breakfast coming to a community near you this April.
For 2026, there are various event host locations for you to choose from:
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These FREE Breakfasts are sponsored by over 20 industry members in partnership with the Saskatchewan Common Ground Alliance (SCGA). For those attending in Lloydminster, The SCGA is jointly hosting with Utility Safety Partners.
The SCGA has tailormade these events to the following:
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- excavators
- contractors
- landowners
- farmers
- oil and gas, water and sewer, telecom and trenchless industries
- municipal and public works departments
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- One Call Center members/owners and operators
- utility locate service providers
- utility locate administrators
- engineers
- insurance claims and risk management operators
| | Local fire and police departments, volunteer fire fighters, EMS personnel, safety officers, and urban or rural councillors are encouraged to attend. | | SARM is now on Bluesky! Follow us here: @sarm.ca | | | | |
