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 Did You Know? From April 1, 2007 to the end of March 31, 2008, the Province of Saskatchewan received 1726 subdivision applications and approved 4251 sites. This is a 72% increase in sites approved over the 2006/07 year of 2468 sites approved. Strategic Stakeholder Initiatives The Northern Municipalities Act ReviewThe Northern Municipalities Act (NMA) establishes the authority and responsibilities of northern municipalities to manage local matters (such as fire protection services, street maintenance, water and sewer systems, public buildings, building inspections, public safety, economic development, etc.) on behalf of their residents. Municipal jurisdiction does not generally include health or education. Issues such as resource royalties, benefits from development, or federal programs are outside the scope of the NMA. It is the third municipal Act to undergo major renewal, following The Cities Act and The Municipalities Act. A new NMA is targeted for the fall 2008 Legislature. BACKGROUND Over the past several years, the province, in cooperation first with the cities and most recently with the urban and rural municipal associations, has undertaken to review and renew Saskatchewan’s municipal legislation. The NMA had not undergone a significant review since 1983. Following meetings with the Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities (New North), it was agreed that the NMA should be updated in a similar process as the southern municipal Acts. In 2006, New North recommended several northern municipal leaders and officials who represented geographic and “community-size” diversity to sit on the review committee. The NMA review committee also includes representation from New North and staff from Municipal Affairs. The NMA review committee has met eight times (for usually 2-3 days each time) over the last year reviewing, researching and discussing existing and future northern municipal issues to ensure that the legislation meets northern needs as much as it is able. CONSULTATIONS A working draft NMA was developed that proposes greater flexibility and autonomy for municipalities similar to The Municipalities Act in the south while addressing specific differences in the north. The working draft is very much a product of the review committee’s work. The concepts in it formed the basis for consultations with northern municipalities, provincial ministries, First Nation and Métis organizations and external stakeholders. To begin the consultation phase, Municipal Affairs made a short presentation about the Act review at the New North Annual General Meeting in December 2007. In partnership with New North, 6 regional municipal workshops were held across the north in late February and early March to allow greater opportunity for northern municipalities to consider the proposed changes. A copy of all the workshop papers and a summary of the discussions can be found below. CURRENT STATUS The working draft below reflects the review committee's suggestions based on the results of the consultations. There are a few areas that are still being refined. Some amendments that have been requested relate to elections and are proposed to be included in The Local Government Election Act, which is also expected to be submitted for consideration to the fall legislative session. CONTACT If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact: Carla Bing-Wo
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