Planning for Growth Northern Program

As both drivers and partners in growth, municipalities face challenges in providing effective and efficient services and creating healthy economically viable, sustainable communities. 

Northern Saskatchewan municipalities face many unique challenges. Strong demand for the province's non-renewable resources has resulted in unprecedented interest and investment in exploration and development. Key government investments in northern infrastructure, such as roads and telecommunications, are also enabling significant opportunities for business development and employment growth in the north. Municipalities are challenged to provide corresponding infrastructure and services required to support this level of development. Consistent policies for land use and development will ensure effective use of public funds for economic development, regional infrastructure planning, and environmental protection and will position northern communities for economic growth. 

Centralizing comprehensive and professional planning and development services in the north will provide communities and groups of communities with added support to develop and implement planning respectful of northern values.

Recognizing that northern municipalities are in various stages of readiness, the $300,000 "Planning for Growth Northern Program" (PFGN) will provide an opportunity for northern communities to work with planners to:

• develop official community plans and zoning bylaws;
• build municipal capacity to implement official community plans; and
• build and enhance relationships to support long term regional planning activities.

Information and experience gained through the projects will facilitate growth and development in the north. 

The PFGN is being supported through funding from Northern Municipal Trust Account and the Federal Gas Tax Program. The PFGN will be jointly administered by the New Deal Secretariat and the Northern Municipal Services and Community Planning Branches, Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

For more information, contact:

Dee Johns, Northern District Planner
Northern Municipal Services
P.O. Box 5000
La Ronge, SK   S0J 1L0
Telephone: (306) 425-6642
Fax: (306) 425-2401
E-mail: dee.johns@gov.sk.ca