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November 2025
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| | In this edition of the Rural Sheaf... | |
- Advocacy
- 2026 SARM Annual Resolution Deadline
- Strategic Communications
- SARM's Holiday Schedule
- In Memoriams for SARM Convention Guide
- SARM Online Calendar - December 2025
- 2026 Annual & Midterm Convention Accommodations
- Lieutenant Governor's Award Nominations
- #RuralMatters
- Risk Management
- Occupational Health & Safety Snow Removal Exemption
- Programs
- Rat Control Program Claim Deadline
- Rural Integrated Roads for Growth Program
- Apply for CTP Program
- RIRG 2025 CTP Statutory Declaration Reminder
- MLDP Municipal Leaders' Roles and Responsibilities Seminar
- Member Purchasing
- Supplier Highlight: Ecopest
- Community Planning
- Finance & Administration
- SARM Classifieds
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- Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund Application Deadline Approaches
- Saskatchewan order of Merit
- Review of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020
- Review of The Vehicle Weight and Dimension Regulations, 2010
- Renewal of Saskatchewan's Solid Waste Management Strategy
- Targeted Sector Support (TSS) Initiative
- Municipalities Today - November 2025
- Announcements
- Applications Open for Saskatchewan's Small and Medium Enterprise Investment tax Credit
- Government Enhances Legislation for Animal Protection in Saskatchewan
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- College of Medicine - Multiple Mini Interview Assessor Registration
- Agricultural Health & Safety Network - 2025 Farm Safety Drawing Contest
- Canadian Safety Train Express - Saskatchewan Key Insights
- Saskatchewan Safety Council - 53rd Saskatchewan Safety Seminar
- Green Municipal Fund (GMF) - Small Towns, Big Impact: GMF in Rural Communities
- Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner - Personal Information for Local Authorities
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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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2026 SARM Annual
Resolution Deadline
The deadline to submit resolutions for the 2026 SARM Annual Convention is Saturday, January 26, 2026, 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's Holiday Schedule
This holiday season, the SARM office will be closed to the public from December 24th at 3:00pm until January 2nd at 8:30am. A reduced complement of SARM staff will be available on December 29th, December 30th, and December 31st to meet the needs of our members.
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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.
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SARM Interactive Online Calendar - December 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
December 10:
December 15:
- For CRA source deductions
December 31:
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Meetings
- Committee Meetings: December 2
- Board Meeting: December 3-4
Monthly Reminder(s)
Special Days
- Christmas Eve: December 24
- Christmas Day: December 25
- Boxing Day: December 26
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2026 Annual
& Midterm 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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Regina Hotel Blocks:
- Comfort Suites Regina
- Courtyard by Marriott
- DoubleTree by Hilton
- Home Inn & Suites Regina Airport
- The Atlas
Saskatoon Hotel Blocks:
- Best Western Plus East Side
- Best Western Airport
- Delta Bassborough
- Delta Hotels Saskatoon Downtown
- TownPlace Suites by Marriott Saskatoon
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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.
| | | | | | Thank you, SUMA, for hosting this year’s Municipal Forum. This continued partnership between SARM, SUMA, and the Government of Saskatchewan supports collaboration to address key issues important to municipalities in our province. | | That’s a wrap on the #SARMMidterm2025! Thank you to everyone who helped to make it a success. | | | | | SARM President Bill Huber joined Evan Bray this morning for a roundtable discussion on the Chinese and U.S. tariffs imposed on Canadian goods, speaking to the increasingly detrimental impact these tariffs are having on Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector. | | 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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Occupational Health & Safety Snow Removal Exemption
The snow removal exemption, including the required agreement, is linked below for your reference and use. As in the past, this only applies to residents contracted by an individual rural municipality to remove snow who meets the conditions of the exemption and who signs an agreement to comply with the conditions set out in the exemption. This exemption is in effect until November 30, 2028.
| | 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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Rat Control Program
Claim Deadline: December 31, 2025
| | | To learn more about the Rat Control Program, scan the QR code or visit the SARM website. | | | | |
Apply to Clearing the Path (CTP) Program
The Clearing the Path program provides incremental funding to help cover the costs of maintaining eligible roadways at primary weights.
Application Form:
| | | For more information, please visit the RIRG website, scan the QR code, or email info@rirg.ca with any questions or concerns. | | | |
RIRG 2025 Clearing the Path (CTP) Statutory Declaration Reminder
RMs with a CTP Corridor
Reminder to submit your 2025-26 RIRG Clearing the Path Incremental Maintenance Statutory Declaration starting on October 1, 2025, using the online Statutory Declaration Form.
This form requires completion annually to confirm that the Road Authority has maintained the Corridor(s) to a safe and suitable level as described in their CTP Incremental Maintenance Funding Agreement.
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Municipal Leadership Development
Program (MLDP)
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.
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Municipal Leaders’ Roles and Responsibilities
The 2025 Municipal Leaders’ Roles and Responsibilities seminar will be held virtually over Microsoft Teams. This webinar will describe essential responsibilities of elected officials, explore best practices for the relationship between council and staff, and examine questions about codes of ethics and conflicts of interest.
This session is a great resource for both new and experienced elected officials.
Date: December 3, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual Session
Cost: Free to attend
*Date and location are subject to change.
| | | For more information or to register for a module, visit mldp.ca. | | 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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Ecopest
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FREE SHIPPING on every order
No minimum purchase required!
| | | 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 Elcapo No.154, Grader Operator, Nov 28 - Close
RM of Elcapo No.154, Gravel Truck Driver, Nov 28 - Close
RM of Colonsay No. 342, Patrol Operator, Dec 1 - Close
RM of Blaine Lake No. 434, Maintenance/Equipment Operator, Dec 13 - Close
RM of Last Mountain Lake No. 250, Foreman/Equipment Operator, Dec 15 - Close
RM of Viscount No. 341, Administrator, Dec 19 - Close
Hamlet of Igloolik, Chief/Senior Administrative Officer, Dec 20 - Close
RM of South Qu’Appelle No. 157, Public Works Foreman, Dec 20 - Close
RM of Pleasantdale No. 398, Weed Inspector & Vegetation Control Officer, Dec 24 - Close
RM of Pleasantdale No. 398, Pest Control Officer, Dec 24 - Close
RM of Pleasantdale No. 398, Maintenance/Equipment Operator, Dec 24 - Close
RM of Pleasantdale No. 398, Grader/General Operator, Dec 24 - Close
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Looking to Buy/Sell:
RM of Moose Range No. 486, 2016 Freightliner Coronada, Nov 30 - Close
RM of Rodgers No. 133, Used Road Packer, Nov 30 - Close
RM of Prince Albert No. 461, 140M AWD Cat Grader, Nov 30 - Close
RM of Tecumseh No. 65, 2013 Schulte SDX-117 Snowblower, Dec 5 - Close
RM of Pense No. 160, Capital 1 Snow Wings – Volvo G970, Dec 20 - 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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Canada Housing Infrastructure
Fund Application
Deadline Approaches
Communities across Saskatchewan are urged to apply for funding through the Provincial-Territorial stream of the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) before noon CST on Friday, November 28, 2025.
Through CHIF, the federal government will provide $187.9 million and Saskatchewan will provide approximately $155 million in funding to help communities develop or enhance vital infrastructure for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste, supporting more homes across the province.
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Saskatchewan Order of Merit
Established in 1985, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit is a prestigious recognition of excellence, achievement, and contributions to the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the province and its residents. The Order recognizes individuals who have made their mark in such areas as the arts, agriculture, business and industry, community leadership, the occupations or professions, public service, research, and volunteer service. It takes precedence over all other provincial honours and awards.
Nominations will be accepted until November 30, 2025. Online nominations are encouraged, but nominations will also be accepted by mail, courier or in-person.
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Review of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020
The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety is seeking feedback on The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.
The regulations will be reviewed using a three-phase approach.
The goal of the review is to ensure the regulations remain relevant, continue to meet the needs of employers and employees, and reduce injuries and fatalities.
| | Feedback from organizations and individuals for parts one through five of the regulations will be accepted until November 30, 2025. | | | |
Renewal of Saskatchewan's Solid Waste Management Strategy
Engagement and Feedback
| | To attend the engagement session on December 2, 2025, or learn more and share your feedback, click the link below. | | 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.
The updated application guide can be found on the SARM website.
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Multiple Mini Interview
Assessor Registration
College of Medicine
The USask College of Medicine needs YOUR help to select our province’s future medical students! Volunteer to be an Assessor at our virtual Multiple Mini Interview on January 31st or February 1st.
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Who are we looking for:
- Health professionals and members from the community that will offer a balanced, fair and diverse perspective to help inform our selection decisions.
- Assessors who are comfortable with virtual technology as we will be hosting our Multiple Mini Interviews synchronously using an online platform.
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Google Chrome: Version 77 or newer (our recommended browser), Firefox: Version 69 or newer , Microsoft Edge (on Chromium): Version 76 or newer, Opera: Version 62 or newer. Please note that Safari and Internet Explorer (IE) are not supported at this time.
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What we need from you:
- One-full day (approximately eight hours) commitment for assessing and interviewing candidates for personal qualities important for the medical profession.
- Participation in a mandatory training session for the Multiple Mini Interview assessors.
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What you can expect from us:
- Multiple Mini Interview assessor training including orientation to the interview platform and pre-interview system check.
- Pre-Multiple Mini Interview and interview day technical support.
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If you would like to volunteer for the Multiple Mini Interview, please complete the online volunteer form (2026 Assessor Registration Form) by November 30, 2025. It must be understood that this is a volunteer position and students/staff/faculty will not be compensated or reimbursed for their time. | | | | |
If you are interested in participating in this year’s panel interview/conversation circle process, please watch for a separate invitation in early January.
We will contact you with further details regarding assessor selection, scheduling, training and orientation sessions. If you have questions, please contact the College of Medicine Admissions Office at med.admissions@usask.ca.
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2025 Farm Safety Drawing Contest
Agricultural Health and Safety Network
Show us what farm safety means to you!
The Agricultural Health and Safety Network's Farm Safety Drawing Contest is back!
Draw a picture about safety on the farm for a chance to win a new iPad! include a safety message/slogan on your picture and make sure your picture shows one of these farm safety themes:
- ATV Safety
- Sun Safety
- PTO/Machinery Safety
- Animal Safety
To learn the rules, regulations, and how to enter, click the link below. The contest ends December 15, 2025.
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Canadian Safety Train Express
Saskatchewan Key Insights
Saskatchewan has nearly as many crossings as Ontario yet reported only 11 incidents - the lowest rate in Canada.
Thursday is the day when most incidents occur in Saskatchewan. 31% of incidents this year have happened on a Thursday.
Southeast Saskatchewan has had 63% of the incidents this year.
45% of crossing incidents in Saskatchewan have involved professional drivers.
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53rd Saskatchewan Safety Seminar
Saskatchewan Safety Council
Join us February 3-5, 2026, in Saskatoon for the 53rd Saskatchewan Safety Seminar. The Saskatchewan Safety Seminar and trade show is an excellent opportunity for new or experienced safety practitioners, and those tasked with responsibility for workplace safety to attend professional development sessions delivered by experts on a variety of current safety related topics.
Seminar consistently proves an invaluable source of information on workplace injury prevention, related technologies, and services.
Learn more about the Saskatchewan Safety Seminar by clicking the link below.
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Small Towns, Big Impact: GMF in Rural Communities
Since 2000, GMF has invested over $346 million in rural, northern and remote communities across Canada—funding innovative projects that reduce energy costs, strengthen local economies, increase affordable housing and more.
Explore quick stories of lasting change in small communities and resources to help your work.
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Personal Information for Local Authorities
Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner
This document explains the interaction between LA FOIP and The Municipalities Act in the province of Saskatchewan and as it pertains to personal information. Please note that this is not a legal opinion but our office’s attempt to assist with questions that arose from the 2025 SARM convention.
| | SARM is now on Bluesky! Follow us here: @sarm.ca | | | | |
