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May 12, 2026
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| | In this edition of the Rural Dart... | |
- Advocacy
- SARM Resolution Responses
- Strategic Communications
- Webinar: Managing ILOs at the Provincial and RM Level
- 2027 Lieutenant Governor's Award Nominations Now Open!
- Insurance & Benefits
- Legal Services
- Programs
- Member Purchasing
- Community Planning
- Finance & Administration
- SARM Classifieds
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- Emergency Declaration and Management Planning
- Strychnine Training Now Available
- Announcements
- Saskatchewan Residents Offered Better Access to Mental Health and Addictions Services Information
- Crop Report for the Period April 28 to May 4, 2026
- Training More Doctors to Strengthen Saskatchewan's Health Care Workforce
- Province Seeks Opinions on Social Media Limits for Youth
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AC2026: Bringing Saskatchewan’s Voices to the National Stage
- 2026 Community Fund for Mental Health
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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 Responses
SARM has received responses from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations and Health Canada pertaining to resolutions passed at the 2026 SARM Annual Convention. Click the links below to review the responses.
| | 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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Webinar: Managing ILOs at the Provincial and RM Level
Join SARM and the Ministry of Agriculture for an information session on Intensive Livestock Operations (ILOs).
ILOs are becoming more common as livestock operations condense and are able to take advantage of the efficiencies in intensive systems. This webinar aims to shine some light on the provincial approval process and give a basic overview of how ILOs are handled by The Planning and Development Act and the role of municipalities.
Date: May 20, 2026
Time: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Speaker: Adam Berenik - Livestock Development Specialist, Production and Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Saskatchewan
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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 2027 nomination period runs until December 31, 2026.
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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SARM’s Insurance & Benefits Team administers and
facilitates various SARM and external partner insurance and
benefit products, including SARM’s fidelity bond, liability, and
property insurance plans, the SARM Benefits Plan, and external
group benefits plans.
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| SARM’s Legal Services Team principally represents rural municipalities in legal proceedings where a SARM insurance plan (e.g. Liability Self-Insurance Plan) provides coverage. The team also provides in-house legal services to SARM’s other departments and Board of Directors. In addition, the team provides legal services to individual RMs, which can include researching legal issues, drafting opinions, and drafting agreements, on a fee-for-service basis and as time permits. | | |
| 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’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 Kellross No. 247, Administrative Assistant/Trainee, May 13 - Close
RM of Biggar No. 347, Foreman, May 13 - Close
RM of Cana No. 214, Equipment/Maintenance Operator, May 16 - Close
SARM, Senior Advisor, Advocacy & Media Relations, May 18 - Close
RM of Elmsthorpe No. 100, Operator, May 23 - Close
RM of Birch Hills No. 460, Grader Operator, May 21 - Close
RM of Terrell No. 101, Administrative Assistant/Trainee, May 29 - Close
RM of Meadow Lake No. 588, Manager of Public Works, May 31 - Close
RM of Prince Albert No. 461, Grader Operator, June 1 - Close
RM of Colonsay No. 342, Patrol Operator, June 6 - Close
RM of Winslow No. 319, Foreman, June 8 - Close
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Looking to Buy/Sell:
RM of Grayson No. 184, Mandako Side-Arm, May 14 - Close
RM of Perdue No. 346, 2012 Portable Water Pump - June 8 - 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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Strychnine Training Now Available
Producers in the 208 RMs eligible for Emergency Use of strychnine can register for online training through Saskatchewan’s Strychnine Stewardship Program.
The 90-minute course is mandatory to access two per cent liquid strychnine for targeted RGS control. Early completion of training is recommended to allow sufficient time for records to be shared with RM offices and for users to be registered when product becomes available.
Training can be accessed on the SARM website.
While initial strychnine supplies will be limited this spring, those interested are encouraged to complete training ahead of the recommended late summer application window, July 15 to Sept. 1.
For more on the program, including a list of participating RMs and information on product distribution, see Saskatchewan.ca/RGS-Control.
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AC2026: Bringing Saskatchewan’s Voices
to the National Stage
There is still time for you to join us June 4–7 for Building the Future Together, FCM’s 2026 Annual Conference and Trade Show. Edmonton is just next door—making AC2026 an accessible, high-impact opportunity to connect with peers and national leaders.
This year, we're is zeroing in on the challenges and opportunities that will define the next decade across Saskatchewan and beyond. Expect powerful conversations on housing, homelessness and affordability; breakthrough thinking on infrastructure renewal and innovation; and a deep look at the unique realities of rural, remote, and northern communities.
Don’t miss the chance to bring your own perspective to the conversation! Here is an overview of events that will resonate with your realities:
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The Rural, remote and northern reception
Presented by ATCO
This networking opportunity is designed for leaders from rural, remote, and northern regions who want to exchange ideas, build connections, and champion the issues that matter most in their communities.
One of our interactive, local study tours
Discover how Edmonton has tackled municipal challenges and embraced new opportunities for success.
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Our plenary - Local Governments and the Canada of Tomorrow: Sovereignty, Security and Defence
Presented by Intact Financial Corporation
In this plenary, panellists will discuss how local governments play a pivotal role in protecting Canadian sovereignty and enhancing defence readiness from coast to coast to coast.
Workshops that speak to your priorities
Find sessions on future‑proofing communities through climate‑resilience investments, how satellite technology is transforming connectivity and safety in rural and remote regions, delivering better water and wastewater services through strong asset management, new insights on infrastructure, housing and economic collaboration, and practical tools for leading teams through incivility — and so much more.
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Looking forward to seeing you in Edmonton! |
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2026 Community Fund for Mental Health
The Do More Agriculture Foundation is launching the 2026 Community Fund for Mental Health, sponsored by Farm Credit Canada. The Fund supports communities across Canada to host free, local mental health workshop Talk Ask Listen, which is tailored to agriculture and rural communities.
It empowers communities to build connection, increase confidence in talking about mental health, and take meaningful action—together.
Applications are open until May 20, 2026.
| | SARM is now on Bluesky! Follow us here: @sarm.ca | | | | |
