Number: 2005-10

October 31, 2005 

2005 SARM Midterm Convention
Plan to attend the 2005 Midterm Convention to be held at the Centre of the Arts in Regina on November 8 and 9.  Presentations will be made on the New Deal funding program, the education tax issue, the Clearing the Path initiative, agriculture issues, the Province’s proposed new Crown Land Policy, the Farm Stress Line, Action Southwest economic development initiative, legislative changes and the Primary Weight Study.  Government Relations Minister Len Taylor will be addressing the delegates.  Wayne Easter, Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food with special emphasis on Rural Development, will also be giving an address.   The complete agenda and resolutions to be debated at the convention can be found on our website at http://www.sarm.ca/.  Please read over the resolutions prior to the convention.  The resolutions passed at the convention determine the policy of SARM. (Lunch will be available each day at the Centre of the Arts with tickets on sale until 11:00 am) 

Saskatchewan Municipal Board Approval
Under The Municipalities Act, Section 23 requires that all rates, charges, tolls or rents set by a council for the use of water or sewer services are subject to the approval of the Saskatchewan Municipal Board (SMB).  Effective January 1, 2006, all rural municipalities that provide water and sewer to their residents will require the rates to be approved by SMB. Affected rural municipalities are encouraged to contact Marilyn Turanich, SMB, Tel. No. 787-6227. 

Farmer Rail Car Coalition
Sinclair Harrison-President of the Farmer Rail Car Coalition (former Reeve of RM of Moosomin No. 121 and past president of SARM) reports that all signals point toward a November 2005 Federal Cabinet decision on the sale of the Federal Hopper Car Fleet. If you have questions for Sinc, he will be at the SARM Midterm convention. 

Education Tax Issue
It is time for the government to take action to reduce the burden that high levels of education tax place on property owners.  SARM, in a coalition with four other organizations, has given the government a plan to reduce education taxes on property by increasing the provincial share of education funding to at least 60 per cent of the total cost of education over the next three years, beginning in next year’s budget.  By 2008, property should fund no more than 40 per cent of the total cost of education.   We have advised government that we fully expect to see some positive announcement in the Throne Speech on November 7^th.

Western Economic DiversificationCanada Celebrates Saskatchewan Initiative Project ClaimsThe folks at WED asked us to pass along the following reminder regarding claims for grants under the Canada Celebrates Saskatchewan program:In order to ensure quick response to claims please ensure that they include:

1. A completed (provide info requested in the grey shaded area under actual) and signed Attachment “A” (included in the Agreement) that serves as the claim form.
2. Copies of all invoices (this includes any invoice that was incurred to complete the project).
3. Proof of payment i.e. copies of cancelled cheques. The cancelled cheque provides proof that it has cleared the bank. Copies can be printouts from the bank’s website; or copies of both the front and back of cancelled cheques that have been returned; or a copy of the cheque and copy of the bank statement showing the cheque has cleared the bank.
4. Picture of the project.
5. If applicable a signed and dated copy of the Environmental Assessment Mitigation Certificate. Completion dates for each “Required Environmental Mitigation” must be provided. And, the Certification must be signed by the Reeve and Administrator.

 If you have any questions, please call either 306-975-8950 or 306-975-6559. Thank you in advance. 

Highlights from the October SARM Board Meeting

□        Premium rates for the SARM Property Self-Insurance Program, the SARM Liability Self-Insurance Plan and the SARM Fidelity Bond Insurance Plan were set for 2006.  The rates will remain the same as set in 2005.

□        The SARM budget for 2006 was approved.  There will be no change in membership fees from 2005.

□        Directors Ray Orb and Doug Steele were appointed to represent SARM on the New Deal Partnership Program Committee.

□        Letter sent to Minister Peterson in support of retention of the CWB, reinforcing the initial price guarantee and the ability to borrow at government rates.

□        Department of Highway officials outlined their proposal to allow the expanded use of tridem drive trucks.

□        Sask Environment and Sask Ag and Food officials discussed emergency plans for establishing sites for mass disposal of livestock.

□        The Board approved the Rural Municipal Administrator’s Association proposed salary schedule for 2006.  The schedule was distributed to all RM offices.

□        The Board approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with SUMA, Sask Justice and the RCMP regarding RCMP Detachment Advisory Committees.

 

Gopher Poison

At the end of September, PMRA (Pest Management Regulatory Agency) released their Re-evaluation of Strychnine report.  PMRA is proposing that the use of strychnine to control ground squirrels be maintained in the short term and reviewed in three years. They based their decision in consideration of the stakeholder group (we are a part of this group) working to develop and promote a pest management strategy for the control of Richardson’s ground squirrels, the lack of practical alternatives at this time and the additional mitigative measures they are proposing.  It should be noted that this re-evaluation pertained to the currently licensed pre-mixed products and did not consider re-licensing 2% liquid strychnine. PMRA is accepting written comments on this proposal for 60 days.  We suggest municipalities send a letter to PMRA supporting their proposal to extend the use of strychnine.  Letters should outline the magnitude of the problem and the need for the continued access to strychnine based products.  The last day to submit is November 24^th.  While we realize the return of the 2% liquid strychnine products is what most people would like to see, it is vital to retain the use of current pre-mixed strychnine products, as there currently is no suitable alternative.  Letters should be sent to: Pest Management Regulatory Agency2720 Riverside DriveA.L. 6606D2
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9Phone 1-800-267-6315.  Fax number 1-613-736-3798.For the complete report go to:  www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/main/new-e.html. 

Rat Control
SARM staff met with Sask Ag and Food to discuss the raising, housing and sale of rats for commercial purposes (pets, labs and reptile food).  While RMs have the authority under legislation to prohibit or control the raising of rats and to establish rules regarding their housing, it would be beneficial to have province-wide regulations in place. 

Clearing the Path
The Clearing the Path Committee met in Regina on October 20^th.  The committee heard a report from Gordon Sparks, a consultant hired through funding to SARM from Prairie Grain Roads Program (PGRP) and Sask Highways, on the feasibility of a network of rural primary weight roads (primary corridor).  This report will be presented at the SARM Midterm Convention.  The committee also had a presentation from Sask Pork regarding difficulties encountered by firms attempting to construct large hog operations. 

The committee gave their approval to expanding the committee to bring SUMA into the CTP program as partners.  You will hear more on this at the Midterm Convention. 

2006 SARM Calendars
Each municipality will receive two free copies of the 2006 SARM desktop calendar.  If your RM would like additional copies they are available at a cost of $6.00 each plus taxes and shipping (if applicable.)  If you wish to order additional calendars, please e-mail Kristina Lang at klang@sarm.ca.  Orders must be received in our office by November 4, 2005.  Both the pocket and desktop calendars will be available for pickup at the Midterm Convention. Stop by the SARM Convention Office and pick up your supply.

Winter Weight Season

The Winter Weight Season for increased vehicle weights has been expanded by two weeks in the fall and two weeks in the spring, except for the southwest area of the province.  The Winter Weight Season begins on November 16^th and ends March 14^th of the following year.  The core Winter Weight Season commencing December 1 and ending the last day of February will remain in effect regardless of climatic conditions in all areas of the province.  For more information go the Department of Highways website at www.highways.gov.sk.ca  or call them toll free at 1-888-335-7623.

Quote of the Month

If you think you’re too small to make a difference, you haven’t been in bed with a mosquito.  
– Ann Roddick