SARM Policy

About SARM Policy 

 

SARM policy is set by resolutions passed at semi-annual conventions.  Active resolutions can be viewed on the resolutions page. 

 

Activities undertaken by the SARM policy department, on behalf of its members include:

  • Interpreting provincial and federal legislation
  • Reviewing legislation that affects rural municipalities
  • Lobbying government to bring about changes to legislation
  • Communicating important political developments to members

SARM Policy Documents

SARM staff researches issues of importance to rural Saskatchewan and writes reports and reference material as required.  These policy documents are generally used as background materials for SARM lobby efforts.  They include briefing notes, presentations and submissions made to government, all of which state SARM's position on various topics.  Members can view these documents on the Members Policy Documents page. 

Policy Committees

When necessary, SARM establishes policy committees to guide the policy work of the Association. These policy committees are typically advisory in nature and are comprised of both SARM staff and Board Members.

• Resource and Economic Development Committee (R&EDC)

The Resource and Economic Development Committee was conceived because of an emerging need to improve development practices as the province continues to grow. The committee was created to foster and enhance resource development in the province by providing rural municipalities (RMs) with the facts about development, delivering updates on emergent industry issues, conveying best practices to be applied when dealing with development, and by offering recommendations to the Province on regulations, legislations and resource based funding for municipalities.

The R&EDC is a standing-advisory committee established by motion of the SARM Board on March 22, 2011. The committee is currently comprised of David Marit, President, Don Taylor, Director, Division 1, Doug Steele, Director, Division 3, Ron Stevens, Director, Division 5, (alternate), and Shelley Kilbride, Policy Manager.

Click here for more information about the committee or contact Shelley Kilbride at 761-3736 or skilbride@sarm.ca.

Updates on Member Inquiries

SARM receives inquiries from its members regularly. In response to those inquiries, SARM staff undertakes research and provides reports back to respective members. The purpose of this page is to allow all members to access the information that has been compiled on topics of interest. Members can view this information on the Updates on Member Inquiries page.

Special Projects

The SARM Policy Department also works on projects as they are needed and as directed by their members. 

 

Saskatchewan Agri-Environmental Group Planning Program

This program is the successor to the Integrated Weed Management Program which operated from 1999 to 2005 under the direction of Dr. Garry Bowes. Financial support for this program is being provided by the Growing Forward Program sponsored by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

SARM administers the project and technical support is provided by Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food. The objective of this program is to improve integrated pest management planning and thus decrease the economic and ecological damage to landscapes by Invasive Alien Plant Species. The program has received funding to employ an Invasive Plant Species Farm Stewardship Coordinator. This coordinator will be available to assist RM's in developing a long term plan to protect crops, forage land and natural habitats from invasion and or spread of invasive alien plants.

For more information on this program please contact the Invasive Plant Species Farm Stewardship Coordinator:

Harvey Anderson in Saskatoon at 306-933-7695 or email harvey.anderson@gov.sk.ca  

Each Rural Councillor features an article from the Program Coordinators. 

Clearing the Path

The purpose of the Clearing the Path (CTP) initiative is to support economic development in our communities. A committee of municipal leaders is leading this initiative and they are working to build the tools necessary to assist our municipal leaders in finding the resources and support they need to build strong, sustainable communities across Saskatchewan.

Visit the CTP Website.