2023 March
Municipalities Today is a web-based newsletter published monthly by the Ministry of Government Relations. It lists deadlines, training opportunities, services and programs that may be of interest to Saskatchewan municipal administrators.
View past editions of Municipalities Today by visiting the Publications Centre.
1. Visit the Ministry's Trade Show Booth at SARM's Convention
The Ministry of Government Relations trade show booth will once again be at the annual Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) convention in Saskatoon later this month.
Ministry staff will be available at booth No. 152 to provide information about building standards and licensing, community infrastructure, municipal administration, community planning, along with Indigenous and northern matters.
The booth runs Tuesday, March 14 and Wednesday, March 15 at Prairieland Park, Saskatoon.
For more on the convention, visit SARM’s Annual Convention and Trade Show page.
2. Government of Saskatchewan's 2023-24 Budget
The Government of Saskatchewan is scheduled to table its 2023-24 provincial budget the afternoon of Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
The proceedings of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan are live streamed on television across the province through SaskTel Max and local cable companies, as well as online through the Legislative Assembly website.
Documents and news releases about the 2023-24 provincial budget will be posted to the Budget page on the provincial website once the Finance Minister rises to table the budget.
3. Amendments to Surface Rights Regulations
The Ministry of Energy and Resources is consulting on proposed amendments to The Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Regulations (SRACR) to support amendments to The Surface Rights Acquisition and Compensation Act in Bill 95 currently before the Legislative Assembly.
These changes concern the authority for the Surface Rights Board of Arbitration (Board) to hear cases and issue compliance orders regarding the payment of delinquent surface rights to landowners. Proposed amendments to the SRACR are posted on the saskatchewan.ca Public Engagement webpage and include the following proposals:
- A requirement for an operator to prove compliance with the Board’s Order for Payment by demonstrating that payment has been made by the operator and accepted by the landowner;
- Increasing the maximum amount for off-lease damage awards by the Board from the current $1,000 to $30,000; and
- Adding helium and lithium to the listing of minerals for which the Board may adjudicate surface access in addition to oil, gas, and potash.
Stakeholders may direct comments on the proposed changes by March 24, 2023, to the Energy and Resources Service Desk at er.servicedesk@gov.sk.ca.
4. Apply by May 1 for Targeted Sector Support Initiative Funding
Saskatchewan municipalities are encouraged to apply for project funding under the newest intake for the Targeted Sector Support (TSS) Initiative to help build better communities across the province.
The TSS Initiative provides cost-shared grants of up to 75 per cent of eligible project costs to the maximum of $100,000, as funds are available. Projects are funded under one of the following streams: dispute resolution and relationship building, capacity building, regional co-operation, and municipal transition.
This is the fifth project intake under the TSS Initiative, which is funded through the provincial government's Municipal Revenue Sharing Program. The Saskatchewan Association of Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) administers this funding on behalf of the TSS Steering Committee.
The TSS Steering Committee consists of representatives from SUMA, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, the Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities and the Ministry of Government Relations.
To apply, visit the Targeted Sector Support Initiative page on the provincial website.
5. Model Building Bylaw Coming into Effect January 1, 2024
By provision of The Construction Codes Act (the CC Act), all municipalities (local authorities) without a current building bylaw must adopt one by December 31, 2023. Failure by a local authority to adopt a building bylaw will result in the Model Building Bylaw, appended to The Building Code Regulations, automatically coming into force on January 1, 2024.
Local authorities with existing building bylaws are not required to adopt a new building bylaw at this time.
Building bylaws, whether new, amended or repealed, must be submitted for approval by the Minister of Government Relations, as described under section 17 of the CC Act. The requirement for ministerial approval does not apply to a bylaw pertaining only to fees.
A local authority must submit two certified true copies of any new, amended or repealed building bylaw to the Building and Technical Standards (BTS) Branch within 60 days of the action by the council for processing.
Within 60 days of receiving the bylaw, the Minister has the option to choose one of the following four options for approval:
- Approve the bylaw – This occurs if the bylaw does not conflict with the CC Act or the Regulations.
- Not approve the bylaw – This occurs if the bylaw conflicts with the CC Act or the Regulations.
- Approve the bylaw in part – Occurs when the bylaw does not conflict with the CC Act or the Regulations and is severable from the part of the bylaw that does conflict.
- Approve the bylaw on the condition it be amended – This occurs only when the bylaw does not conflict with the CC Act or the Regulations and the required amendments do not materially affect the bylaw.
While BTS is typically able to process a building bylaw in one to two weeks, the adoption, amendment or repeal of a building bylaw does not take effect until the Minister approves it.
Local authorities are encouraged to contact BTS before adopting, amending or repealing their building bylaw to ensure draft wording complies with the CC Act. This provides quicker processing and a more rapid turnaround.
If you have questions, please contact BTS at 306-787-4113 or btstandards@gov.sk.ca.
6. Research Project Wants to Hear From You
The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy is undertaking research for the “Governing Sustainable Municipalities Project” and wants input from mayors, reeves, councillors and municipal officials.
The advisory committee for the project includes representatives from SUMA, SARM, New North, Rural Municipal Administrators’ Association, the Urban Municipal Administrators Association of Saskatchewan and Ministry of Government Relations.
Visit the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy website for more information on upcoming public talks and roundtable discussions happening across Saskatchewan in March and April.