April 2010 SUMA Publication Agreement No

The newsletter of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association Vol. 15 No. 1 April 2010 SUMA Publication Agreement No. 40027298 SUMA’s Perspective on Budget 2010-11 nouncements are welcome, it is important the Dutch Elm Disease program and the to note that these funds were previously West Nile Virus program have been elim- committed and represent the provincial inated. SUMA will continue to work to share of federal infrastructure programs. identify other programs and services that Without reliable infrastructure, economic have been reduced or eliminated as part progress is constrained. With a significant of the budget. Members are encouraged municipal infrastructure deficit, even one to contact SUMA if they have any related year of inadequate funding can make the questions or concerns. problem worse. In this next year, SUMA will hold the government accountable to its The above mentioned budget and program commitment to negotiate a Made in Sas- cutbacks evoke the spectre of download- katchewan program for funding municipal ing. As the order of government closest to infrastructure. We will be looking to the the citizens, municipalities are often called province for a predictable and sustainable on to ‘fill the gap’ when other orders cut stream of funding. funding. Whether it’s providing temporary operational funding support to Enterprise As part of its budget austerity efforts, regions, or funding third-party agencies On March 24th, the Saskatchewan govern- the government announced significant to deliver key health and environmental ment introduced its 2010-2011 provincial cuts to Enterprise Saskatchewan. These programs, the expectation that municipali- budget. While the province’s tough line cutbacks, when passed on to the newly ties will be there to provide support comes on cost controls may be needed to man- formed Enterprise regions, will result in with a price tag. The current government age its fiscal difficulties, the challenges reductions of 25% to each region. As the has strongly and repeatedly opposed the presented by its choices will be felt by mu- government’s flagship initiative following downloading of responsibility without ad- nicipalities for some time to come. the last election, the drastic reduction in equate funding to support it. The prov- regional economic development funding ince must identify a plan to ensure that the No one was surprised with the announce- is troubling. While the full impact of this gaps created by its funding cuts can be ment that Municipal Operating Grant reduction is still unclear, concern has filled without municipal contributions. Any (MOG) will be held to the same level been raised that municipal members will agreement between the province and the as last year. At SUMA’s February con- be the primary target to help offset budg- municipal sector on new municipal respon- vention, the Premier promised that the et losses for these regions. sibilities would be contingent on new fund- agreement his government made with ing arrangements, a discussion which to the municipal sector will be restored in its Likewise, cutbacks to the Saskatch- date has not taken place. next budget. With the prospect of receiv- ewan Assessment Management Agency ing the full point of PST revenue in 2011- (SAMA) have threatened to create opera- Ultimately, while Saskatchewan’s mu- 12, the municipal sector expects that this tional difficulties and present a challenge to nicipalities face a series of unanswered year, that promise will be kept. the organization’s long-term viability. With questions from this budget, the foundation an unexpected cut of $1.1 million, SAMA’s of our provincial economy remains quite Municipalities are vital engines of eco- total budget will actually be $2.2 million strong. If there is a lesson to be learned nomic growth. Thriving urban communi- less than requested. As with the Enter- by the government through this budget, ties are critical to attracting and retaining prise regions cutbacks, the impact of the perhaps it is that municipal councillors are top talent. The province’s inability to inject SAMA reduction is still unclear. However, also community leaders, and as such most new money, even for one year, into mu- the net impact on SAMA’s ability to deliver every decision the province makes is im- nicipal infrastructure, jeopardizes the vi- services and respond to new programming portant to them. Through a more consist- ability of these communities and therefore and service demands may be significant. ent and engaged consultation process, the the long-term economic health of Sas- province can ensure the municipal voice katchewan. The budget did include $23.4 Although details are still emerging, some is heard, thereby improving its decision- million for infrastructure, and another government programs that involve or im- making. SUMA stands ready to participate $57 million was announced in the weeks pact our communities have been reduced in that process, continuing to preserve and preceding the budget. While these an- or closed. To date, SUMA is aware that defend the interests of urban municipalities. Inside this issue 3 Partners’ Program – A Big Hit! 6 Saskatchewan Legislative Interns Attend 9 Summary of Convention’s Education 3 2010 President’s Banquet Award Recipients the SUMA Annual Convention Sessions 4 Brandt CEO Addresses Delegates on 7 Thank you to all of our Sponsors 10 Report from SUMA’s Sectors Saskatchewan Success 8 Intermunicipal Cooperation: Collaborating 11 Provincial Cabinet has Strong Showing at 5 Energy Efficiency = Reduced Energy Costs Efforts for Success SUMA Convention for Saskatchewan Rinks Spring is just around the corner Over the next few Another common argument is that municipalities and soon the hot Saskatchewan months SUMA, must be more accepting of the fact that long term summer will be upon us. I am al- along with repre- borrowing to finance capital work is an essential ways amazed at how quickly time sentatives from part of the infrastructure management strategy passes. As I compose this mes- municipalities from – if the life span of infrastructure exceeds that of sage for the Urban Voice, I real- all over the prov- one generation, is it fair to place the entire burden ized that it has been over a month ince, will become on the back of current taxpayers? The flip side is now that another successful con- increasingly en- that financing costs draw significant dollars away vention was hosted in Regina. gaged in formulat- from buying pavement and concrete. Most mu- Every year this event gets better ing a long term in- nicipalities wish to maintain a healthy debt load, and I know from the overwhelming frastructure funding preferably on their way to being debt free. positive feedback from members that I am not the only one strategy for the municipal sector. Our target who has made this observation. for finalizing this work is fall of 2010. As demonstrated in the Gas Tax program and other recent federal funding streams for mu- The 2010 convention offered so much in the way of edu- The parties have already shared some of nicipal infrastructure, the protection of public cational opportunities, informative speakers, events to inter- their respective expectations from the new health and the environment is becoming a act with colleagues from around the province and access to program. These include: pre-requisite for qualifying for such grants. provincial MLAs and cabinet ministers. In addition, we broke • A sustainable funding program for sus- a record in trade show displays, companies were knocking tainable projects; As stated by northern municipalities here and at our door to get access hours before the doors opened – • Increased public accountability; in other provinces, new funding infrastructure these companies know where the action is. Our conventions • A program which is less dependent on programs must also take into consideration are exciting, informative and extremely well organized. This federal investment strategies and more regional differences and geography. Burying is all accomplished through the hard work of our convention adapted to local priorities; water and sewer lines in bed rock costs more co-ordinator and the entire SUMA staff. All members should • Contributions which are not tied to mu- than digging through clay or silt. be grateful for their dedication and hard work. nicipal contributions; and • More per capita contributions than com- The regional potential of projects is also like- As this convention followed the 2009 municipal elections, petitive programs. ly to receive additional attention, as a means the selection of a new executive was required. I would like to improve efficiencies, quality and sustain- to take this opportunity to thank all of the members who As our discussions with the Ministry are get- ability. Where more than one community can supported my re-election to the office of President. Since ting deeper into research and policy develop- cooperate on a project, it is likely that these 2007, I have enjoyed my time as President, advocating on ment, it is interesting to note some of the prin- options will be required to receive more scru- behalf of urban municipalities in Saskatchewan. I look for- ciples which have been introduced in similar tiny than in the past. ward to continuing in this role over the next term. I would programs across the nation. I certainly expect like to welcome Mayor Rolly Zimmer to the executive com- that these statements are likely to surface dur- From a municipal perspective, Canadian mittee as the newly elected Vice-President of Towns and ing our meetings at the various MSSP tables. municipalities have been united on this: the also acknowledge the contributions made by Mayor Re- costs of new regulation must not outweigh naud Bissonnette during his time on the executive. Of course, given the shared interests in growth its benefits and financial assistance must ac- opportunities and quality of life, all orders of company new legislation.

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