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July 2024
Note: Some email platforms distort the Rural Sheaf (RS) formatting. The RS looks best when viewed as a webpage through your internet browser.
View as Webpage
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2025 SARM Calendars
The SARM Calendars will be provided in the following formats for 2025:
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Online Calendar: Access the SARM website calendar at sarm.ca/resources/calendar/
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Outlook Calendar: Once the 2025 calendar has been finalized, SARM will distribute a link to download a digital copy that can be imported directly into your Outlook account. Simply click on the SARM provided calendar link and download the file. Once the calendar has been downloaded, click on the file and select “Open as New” or “Import”. This gives you the option to add the file into Outlook as a new separate calendar or integrate the content with your current calendar.
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Rural Sheaf: Each month we will outline important dates in the Rural Sheaf electronic newsletter.
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The dates for 2025 will be added to these electronic formats this fall, so watch for further details in the coming months.
Note: The printed desktop, wall, and pocket calendars will no longer be available.
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Fraudulent Convention Emails
It has come to our attention that a fraudulent email scam has been circulating to members regarding the acquisition of SARM convention visitor/attendee lists. SARM is in no way affiliated with these companies sending out these emails and does not release convention attendee information to outside parties.
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With data breaches and cyber attacks on the rise, we are reminding you to stay vigilant against phishing attempts.
Hackers use deceptive practices to trick people into sharing their data. The most common technique is email phishing. Hackers send messages that appear legitimate or look like they're from someone you trust so that you engage with the message or click on malicious attachments.
Here are some tips to keep in mind to avoid falling victim to these types of scams:
- Double-check that the sender's email address matches who they claim to be
- Don't click a link or download from someone you don't know, or weren't expecting
- Don't reply to a suspicious email or message from an email you don't recognize
- Inform your IT solutions partner or provider about any suspicious or potential attempts
If you receive an email from ellin.taurus@eventdatarxinc.com, zoya.evan@dataseccentric.com, winter@e1businessdata.services, or any other unknown email addresses, please disregard it, block it, and delete it.
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RM Directory on SARM's Website
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. This 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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Have Your Say—A Survey Is Coming Your Way!
When we know more, we can do more. That’s why SARM is counting on your insights and participation in an upcoming demographics survey, arriving in your inboxes on August 1, 2024. The survey, designed to help SARM better understand the diversity and demographics within your RM councils, will allow us to better support and serve both you and your communities.
By completing the survey, your input will:
- Help SARM better understand the diversity and demographics within your RM councils.
- Provide insights that identify existing relationships and foster overlooked ones.
- Translate data into effective actions and outcomes.
- Allow us to help you continue doing your important work.
Taking the survey will be easy (it really will!). SARM members will receive a separate email on August 1st with a link to complete the survey in minutes!
Have questions? Contact Amy Roettger at aroettger@sarm.ca.
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Healthcare Practitioner Community Settlement Toolkit
The Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency wants your feedback! The agency is drafting a “Healthcare Practitioner Community Settlement Toolkit” where local initiatives and strategies are being gathered from communities and incorporated into a resource to share across Saskatchewan.
Community involvement in supporting healthcare workers is a critical part of healthcare retention and the agency extends its gratitude for the work that is being done.
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The agency is interested in learning from communities who are supporting healthcare workers at the local level to provide them insights into their work.
If you are interested in collaborating with the agency on this project, please contact Ashley Blumson, Policy Analyst and Stakeholder Relations Lead at Ashley.blumson@saskhealthrecruitment.ca or 306-281-3208 by August 20, 2024.
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Gopher Control Program
Claim Deadline: July 31, 2024
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SARM Interactive Online Calendar - August 2024
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:
- For auditor to send verification notices to people indebted to the RM
August 10:
- To remit and return monthly EPT funds
- To remit taxes to SMHI, C&D and regional parks
August 15:
- To prepare tax roll
- For submitting the mill rate return to Government Relations
- For CRA source deductions remittance
August 31
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Meetings
- Committee Meeting: August 8
- Committee Meeting: August 13
- Board Meeting: August 14-15
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 5
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Carbon Tax Rebate for Small Businesses
Farmers with employees could qualify for a rebate related to carbon pricing.
The Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses is a refundable tax credit announced in Budget 2024 to return a portion of federal fuel charge proceeds directly to eligible Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs).
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Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the retroactive payment with respect to the 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 fuel charge years (a fuel charge year runs from April 1 to March 31), a CCPC must:
- Have employed one or more persons in a designated province in the calendar year in which the fuel charge year begins
- Have had 499 or fewer employees throughout Canada in that calendar year
- File a tax return for its tax year ending in 2023 no later than July 15, 2024
CCPCs do not have to apply for this rebate. Once the Minister of Finance has specified the payment rates for each designated province for an applicable calendar year, the Government of Canada will calculate and automatically issue the rebate amounts to eligible CCPCs.
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WorkSafe Regional Workshop 2024
Join WorkSafe in Estevan for their regional workshop, an unparalleled opportunity for employers to gain cutting-edge insights and practical solutions for workplace health and safety. This year's lineup is especially powerful, featuring:
- Industrial ergonomics
- Insights into workplace disability prevention mitigation and the return-to-work process
- Update from the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety
- Safety association updates
- Impact of the Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy in the province
- Help with planning your psychological health and safety strategy
Don't miss this chance to elevate your company's safety protocols and ensure a healthier, more productive workplace. Join WorkSafe on November 14th to shape the future of workplace safety in Saskatchewan!
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Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) Program
The Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program is a Ministry of Highways funded program, administered by SARM, and governed by a Program Management Board, which is made up of voting representatives of both organizations.
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Feedback from RMs:
The RIRG Program Management Board received feedback from rural municipalities that the timing of intakes has been out of sync with the budgeting and planning cycles of rural municipalities. This has made it difficult for rural municipalities to plan their projects effectively. The RIRG program Management Board also received feedback that project announcements have sometimes been released too late in the spring or summer to complete the construction in that season. This adds frustration and unnecessary delays to project completion timelines.
To address these legitimate concerns, the RIRG program is moving to a standardized application intake and project announcement schedule that is intended to align with RM budgeting and planning cycles, as well as the cycles of the provincial government.
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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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New Legislation
The Animal Production Act & Regulations
The Saskatchewan livestock sector is now supported through the new Animal Production Act. The new Act governs animal production in Saskatchewan including domestic game farming, fur farming, wild boar farming (new addition), domestic meat inspection, milk compositional standards, livestock inspection and transportation, animal identifiers, premises identification, stray animals (livestock specific), animal keeper's liens, and livestock dealer licensing.
This modernized legislation consolidates four existing Acts related to animal production into one Act and reduces 10 sets of regulations into a single set. This change reduces red tape and simplifies the legislation.
A few highlights to note:
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1) The vast majority of the legislation came into force on July 1, 2024 with the following exceptions:
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Licences: All existing licences will expire naturally over the course of the year (i.e. you will not be required to renew or submit a new licence fee this year, unless the licence is up for renewal). Those licenced by the Ministry can expect further communications specific to their licence type (example: domestic game farms, milk processors, etc.). Livestock dealers with an existing licence will continue to use this year’s licence until they expire on December 31, 2024. The new bond rates will take effect when your licence is renewed for 2025. The only exception to this is if a new dealer was to be registered, then they would be subject to the new bond rates.
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Livestock Manifest: To allow the existing manifests to work their way through the system (i.e. get them used up), the new requirements on the manifest will not be required until January 1, 2025. These new fields are the PID origin and destination, and security interest declaration.
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2) Wild boar Operations: Existing wild boar operations can apply to the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Branch for a licence beginning July 1. A letter will be sent from the ministry to existing known operators with more details. There is a 6-month application window, after that point operations may not be granted a licence. No new operations will be permitted after July 1, 2024. If you have any questions please contact 306-787-2150. | | | |
3) Stray Animals: The updated stray animal process will apply beginning July 1. The ministry has finalized the new Stray Animals Guide and has posted it online at saskatchewan.ca for municipalities to access. For stray animal inquiries, please contact the Livestock Branch at 306-787-2150. | | | |
For a full list of amalgamated, updated, and repealed legislation, as well as the new Saskatchewan Stray Animals Guide, please visit the links below: | |
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Building and Technical Standards Fall Workshops
The Ministry of Government Relations Building and Technical Standards Branch (BTS) will be hosting workshops this fall on legislative framework and integrated systems training. The deadline to register for these workshops is November 1, 2024. Please see further details below:
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Legislative Framework Training Workshop and Challenge Exam
The objective of this workshop is to provide a better understanding of Saskatchewan’s construction legislation and regulations for the successful application of the National Building Code of Canada 2020 and the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2020.
Date: November 6 and 7, 2024
Times: 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both days.
Location: Royal Hotel Regina, 4025 Albert Street, Regina
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CAN/ULC S1001 'Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems' Workshop
The purpose of this workshop is intended to equip participants with an understanding of the requirements of CAN/ULC-S1001 ‘Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems’ and the requirements of its application as required by the National Building Code of Canada 2020 and the National Fire Code of Canada 2020.
Saskatoon
Date: November 4, 2024,
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Saskatoon Inn, 2002 Airport Drive
Regina
Date: November 5, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Royal Hotel Regina, 4025 Albert Street
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If you are interested in additional training, you can find more information on the BTS course page linked below. If you have any questions about the workshops, please contact us at 306-787-4113 or btstandards@gov.sk.ca. | |
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Chronic Waste Disease
Potential Carcass Disposal Bin Locations
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Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal, infectious disease of deer, elk, and moose that affects the central nervous system. The disease is endemic in southern Saskatchewan and has been detected in 62 of 80 Wildlife Management Zones (WMZs). The movement of CWD-infected carcasses from endemic areas of the province and disposal of carcasses and carcass waste on the landscape poses the risk of environmental contamination and introduction of CWD into new areas.
In an effort to reduce the spread of CWD the province is expanding the carcass disposal program. Disposal bins will be set up across select areas of the province for hunters to dispose of carcasses, carcass waste, and meat from CWD positive animals free of charge. Proper disposal of carcasses and carcass waste prevents consumption by wildlife or pets, minimizes environmental contamination, and reduces exposure to susceptible species. Locations for carcass disposal bins have been selected in areas of the province where CWD prevalence rates are low or where the disease has not yet been detected in an attempt to minimize spread.
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The Wildlife Health Program is asking for assistance in identifying locations for carcass disposal bins in RMs no 558, 555, 426, 395, and 005. The bins will be available to hunters from August 25, 2024 – January 31, 2025. Each disposal bin will have a bin monitor who will monitor the bin regularly and contact the Wildlife Health Biologist to schedule bin empties with the waste hauling company when carcass waste has been disposed of to ensure timely pickups.
Please contact Ruth Aschim, Wildlife Health Biologist, at ruth.aschim@gov.sk.ca or 306-221-5171, if your RM is interested in hosting a CWD carcass disposal bin or would like more information on the program.
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The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health is keeping everyone updated on the province’s Health Human Resources Action Plan with this infographic highlighting key areas of success. | | |
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The following RMs have requested the information below to be distributed and will be billed for using this service. | |
Looking to Hire:
RM of Craik No. 222, Administrator (Mat Leave), Aug 7 - Close
RM of Hillsborough No. 132, Equipment Operator Maintenance Worker, Aug 12 - Close
RM of Hart Butte No. 11 & RM of Happy Valley No. 10, Joint Administrator, Aug 16 - Close
RM of Whiska Creek No. 106, Seasonal Operator Level 1, Aug 18 - Close
City of Melfort, Director of Corporate Services, Aug 18 - Close
RM of Langenburg No. 181, Administrative Assistant, Aug 22 - Close
RM of Usborne No. 310, Administrator, Aug 24 - Close
RM of South Qu'Appelle No. 157, Seasonal Equipment Operator, Sep 16 - Close
RM of South Qu'Appelle No. 157, Seasonal Mower Operator, Sep 16 - Close
Looking to Buy/Sell:
There are no active buy/sell ads.
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If you have questions or would like to post in the SARM Classifieds contact: 306.757.3577 or sarm@sarm.ca
Please send your advertisement in a Word Document.
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EMS Vehicles & Supply Program
You need reliable and high-quality supplies to effectively respond to the medical emergencies you face every day. From defibrillators to powered loaders and stretchers, Canoe leverages the buying power of all member organizations to get you the solutions you need to equip your emergency medical services with the right products.
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Register Now for the Community and Land Use
Planning Module!
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.
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Registration
This module is now offered online through Southeast College. To register, please visit MLDP.ca or call 1-866-999-7372.
Fees
$75.00 + GST
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SARM Webinars
SARM offers webinars for members. Not only can you participate in these live, but you can also have them as a resource to view again when it’s convenient. Past topics have included:
- Tax Enforcement
- Municipal Investment Solutions
- Drainage Products and Solutions
- Saskatchewan's Property Assessment System
- Combating Crime in Saskatchewan
- Pest Control Product Compliance
- Municipal Leaders' Roles and Responsibilities
- And more
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SARM was happy to attend the Field of STARS Gala yesterday. This morning’s tours of the Global Institute for Food Security and the Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health concluded the July travelling board meeting. Thank you to everyone who hosted our team this week! | |
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The July travelling SARM Board of Directors meeting continued today with a delegation this morning from the RM of Dundurn No. 314 followed by a visit to the 2024 Ag in Motion farm expo this afternoon in the RM of Corman Park No. 344. | |
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SARM is on the road this week visiting Division 5 for the travelling July Board of Directors meeting. Today’s itinerary included an irrigation tour with WSA around Lake Diefenbaker. | |
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SARM is pleased to hear that progress has been made on the Westside Irrigation Rehabilitation Project (WIRP), with the awarding of the next phase in planning and engineering design work. Construction is planned to start in 2025-26. | | |
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Our farmers depends on rail for inputs and exports. We join other Ag organizations in concerns over labour disruptions. We urge CN & CPKC to consider the broader impact. Market access shouldn't be uncertain. | | | | |
