2026 May

If you are a community leader and your municipality is needing support, visit Requesting Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) Assistance on the SPSA website or contact your SPSA Emergency Services Officer (ESO). If you do not know the contact information for your ESO, contact the SPSA’s general inquiry line at 1‑800‑667‑9660 (option 5, then option 1).

Emergency Declaration and Provincial Disaster Assistance Program

The SPSA's website also contains information and templates for municipalities to use if they need to make an emergency declaration to exercise additional authorities to deal with an emergency or make a designation through the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) to receive financial support.

Municipalities should encourage their residents to:

• Download the SaskAlert app which sends alerts about emergencies in real time so they can keep themselves, their loved ones and their property safe.
• View current fire bans and restrictions in Saskatchewan using the SPSA interactive fire ban map.
• Prepare for an emergency in case they need to take care of themselves and their family.

Training under the Strychnine Stewardship Program is now available online. Through the program, producers and RM-appointed pest control officers in eligible regions of Saskatchewan can gain access to 2 per cent liquid strychnine for targeted Richardson's ground squirrel control.

The 90-minute online course, available on the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities website, is a mandatory requirement of the program.

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 September 1.

For more on the program, including a list of participating RMs and information on product distribution, see the Richardson's Ground Squirrel Management page.

The Minister of Government Relations introduced The Building Code (Henry’s Law) Amendment Regulations, 2026 on May 5. This amendment to the National Building Code of Canada requires a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in every residential suite or unit in a residential occupancy where a person sleeps. The enhanced regulations, known as Henry’s Law, are named in honour of Henry Losco, who passed away from CO poisoning in Regina in December 2025.

“Henry Losco’s tragic death demonstrated that Saskatchewan residents need stronger protection from the dangers of carbon monoxide in their homes,” Minister of Government Relations Eric Schmalz said. “Henry’s Law ensures that more CO alarms are positioned to provide protection, promoting the safety that is fundamental to communities and in building a strong Saskatchewan.”

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless, poisonous gas produced by fuel-burning appliances such as natural gas furnaces, stoves, water heaters and fireplaces. CO can build up to dangerous levels when appliances or equipment are not working properly, are poorly ventilated or malfunction. Without a working CO alarm, continued exposure to CO can lead to confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, brain damage and death.

As of November 1, 2026, Henry’s Law will require CO alarms in all multi-unit residential buildings consisting of apartments, condominiums, houses with secondary suites and all other buildings with multiple residential suites, regardless of when the building was initially built or last renovated.

Visit saskatchewan.ca to learn more about protecting you and your loved ones from CO and Henry’s Law.

The Ministry of Government Relations made some revisions to the form used by municipal staff to submit updates to the Municipal Directory. These revisions reflect feedback received by the ministry and clarify what information needs to be updated using language more familiar to municipalities.

What has changed

Sections to update are now clearer and are divided into three parts, where you are asked whether or not you have updates to:

• Municipal office information or council meeting schedule
• Members on council (including mayor or reeve)
• Municipal staff listed on the Municipal Directory
  • Required: administrator, city manager and city clerk
  • Optional: any additional staff

For each part, you clearly indicate yes or no if you have updates to submit.

Updating Council Members or Municipal Staff

If you select yes to updating council members or municipal staff, you will see the following improvements:

• You will be asked how many positions require edits.
• The form will display fillable panels based on the number of positions requiring edits.
• On each panel, you will:
  • Enter the name of the person being removed from the directory.
  • Enter the name and title of the person that should now appear.

These changes make updates quicker and more straightforward.

If you have questions about using the revised form to update the Municipal Directory, please contact muninfo@gov.sk.ca.