SUMA

09/02/2026

Transport Canada Rail Safety Improvement Program (RSIP) provides federal funding for projects that improve safety at high-risk rail crossings and along rail lines.

The program supports investments in infrastructure, technologies, research, education, and public awareness to help reduce collisions, derailments, injuries, and fatalities.

Applications for funding will be accepted until September 4.

08/31/2026

Last week SUMA president Randy Goulden and CEO Jean-Marc Nadeau attended the annual Western Canadian Municipal Association (WCMA) meeting.

Topics discussed included the need for predictable, long-term infrastructure funding that is flexible enough to work for all size of municipality; the need for other orders of government to invest in trade and economic corridors such as roads, bridges, rails, and pipelines; the future of contract policing; strengthened support for municipal fire departments including funding and standardized training; and discussions around AI data centres in Canadian municipalities.

While our municipalities differ in size and location, many of our core needs remain the same. Partnerships such as the WCMA strengthen our advocacy and provide better outcomes for all members.

08/26/2026

This weekend at Fort Carleton, SUMA helped commemorate 150 years since the Treaty 6 agreement and to recognize the ongoing Treaty relationship. This is an important step in living out the Memorandum of Understanding SUMA signed with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) in 2025, which aims to strengthen Treaty relations among urban municipalities and build understanding of Treaty rights.

On August 21, SUMA sponsored and attended the Witâskêwin Dialogue with First Nations, community organizations, industry, and leadership, with CEO Jean-Marc offering opening remarks. SUMA President Randy Goulden and Board Member Gerald Aalbers, along with other mayors from municipalities in Treaty 6, participated in the Grand Entry of the Commemorative Ceremony on August 23, which was attended by First Nations chiefs and Elders, the Governor General of Canada, the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, the Treaty Commissioner, the Premier, and other dignitaries.

Thank you to the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and other organizers for their leadership and the invitation to join this historic and inspiring event. We are all Treaty people.

08/25/2026

We were pleased to meet with members of the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) Saskatchewan Caucus yesterday to discuss matters of mutual concern.

We talked about the need for a renewed, long-term, tri-party municipal infrastructure program, not only to capitalize on growth opportunities in expanding communities, but also to recognize smaller urban municipalities as regional hubs that provide essential infrastructure, programs and services for broader regional populations beyond their borders. This includes the need to move towards allowing shovel worthy projects as opposed to shovel ready projects, which are often subject to inflationary pressures due to upfront assessment costs and delayed approval processes.

We also discussed public safety, emergency services, and RCMP policing. SUMA stressed the need for the federal government to significantly increase RCMP funding for recruitment and retention, as well as to commit to maintaining contract policing beyond 2032.

We heard from CPC caucus members of challenges in smaller communities obtaining postal codes for things such as online deliveries and voting in elections. This is not an issue SUMA has previously heard of, and will be engaging with villages and resort villages to determine the scope of this issue.

Lastly, we discussed red tape reduction, at both the provincial and federal level, to help minimize cost escalations for municipal projects and services. SUMA and its members are encouraged to bring examples forward to our Saskatchewan MPs so that these can be addressed at the federal level.

08/24/2026

Both the Rural Municipal Administrator's Association of Saskatchewan (RMAA) and the Urban Municipal Administrators Association of Saskatchewan (UMAAS) have a Board of Examiners that certify administrators to work in Saskatchewan.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/4o3eNrU

08/20/2026

SUMA was pleased to attend the Saskatchewan Party's Northern Golf Classic at Elk Ridge Resort last week. These are great opportunities to connect with our partners and stakeholders in a less formal environment and spend some time outside enjoying our beautiful province!

08/19/2026

SUMA was pleased to meet with the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, federal minister of public safety, and the Honourable Michael Weger, provincial minister responsible for community safety, this morning.

We discussed the importance of a cost-shared program to pay for response equipment, a need for improved communications between all involved parties prior, during, and following an emergency event, and the potential for standardized training and response such as the former Canadian Emergency Management College that would improve outcomes for all communities across Canada.

Emergency management is a tri-party responsibility, and conversations like this are imperative to ensuring a collaborative approach can be taken. We appreciate the Ministers time and look forward to continuing this important relationship.

08/19/2026

Thanks for covering Summer School, Cross Border Network!

Learn more about why we offer this exclusive professional development opportunity and how it can help you become a better elected official by following the links below.

Every day, Saskatchewan’s mayors and councillors make decisions that shape the future of their communities.

But with the demands of municipal government, there’s often little time to step back, share experiences, and focus on becoming a stronger leader.

That’s the goal of SUMA's Council Summer School — an exclusive professional development opportunity created specifically for elected municipal leaders.

Today, on Municipal Affairs, we speak with SUMA President about why investing in municipal leadership matters — and what Council Summer School has to offer.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/HIOIUsIzSkU
Apple: https://apple.co/41p5I2I
Spotify: https://bit.ly/3tkvb0E

Municipal Affairs is Part of the Cross Border Network.
©2026

08/17/2026

On the Thursday evening of SUMA Council Summer School, in-person attendees received a presentation from RCMP Heritage Centre CEO Sam Karikas.

Sam discussed the role of heritage and museums in economic development for municipalities. She also spoke about the importance for museums for tourism and the process of having the RCMP Heritage Centre designated a national museum.

Once again, thank you to everyone who attended CSS 2026. We look forward to seeing you next year!

08/14/2026

Council Summer School wrapped with a panel on Regional Cooperation featuring SUMA President Randy Goulden, SARM President Bill Huber, and Deputy Minister of Government Relations Drew Wilby.

The panel was moderated by SUMA CEO Jean-Marc Nadeau.

Thank you to everyone who travelled to Regina or joined us online for Council Summer School 2026.