Saskatchewan municipalities and the many services and facilities they provide are instrumental to the success of the economic and social fabric of Saskatchewan . However, the province, the municipal associations and, indeed, communities themselves, recognize that the nature and complexity of issues faced by the municipal sector require collective intergovernmental and interdepartmental action and coordination.

In recognition of this, Government and the municipal sector have committed to creating a Municipal Sector Strategic Plan (MSSP) to support cities, communities and regional economies. The MSSP will set out long term directions and a work plan for the municipal sector and its relationship with the province.

The MSSP is a joint initiative between the municipal sector and the province; without the commitment and support of both partners, the MSSP will not succeed. The MSSP is being developed through four “tables” of interest: Cities, Towns/Villages, Rural, and Northern Communities. Integration of the work will occur through a Coordinating Group comprised of the co-chairs of each table.

The structure of this initiative and the activities for each of the four Tables are intended to provide long-term directions and a work plan for municipal/provincial relations. Key participants include representatives from all cities, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, the Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities, the Northern Revenue Sharing Trust Account Management Board, the Rural Municipal Administrators Association of Saskatchewan, and the Urban Municipal Administrators Association of Saskatchewan.

The purpose of the MSSP is to:

• Identify areas of opportunity where municipal-provincial collaboration can positively impact the economy, the environment, cultural diversity and social cohesion within our communities;
• Engage other government ministries and agencies in discussion with the municipal sector to resolve inter-jurisdictional irritants and enhance communication; and,
• Establish an effective government-to-government relationship.

The key components of the work include:

• A planned approach to infrastructure investment;
• A policy-based approach to revenue sharing that leads to the development of a revenue stream for municipalities that is tied to provincial revenues;
• Developing an approach to increased inter-jurisdictional planning and coordination of service delivery (water, fire, emergency, waste, energy, building inspections, etc.);
• Laying a foundation for increased inter-jurisdictional economic and land use planning (transportation, land development, infrastructure, etc.); and
• Developing a strong working relationship at the administrative level between municipalities and the provincial government to complement the political forums.

The City, Town/Village and Rural tables have begun work. Municipal Affairs is in discussion with northern leaders to form the Northern Table. The MSSP will set out the deliverables and work plan for subsequent months and years related to a resolution of a range of issues being identified by the various tables.

Municipal Affairs has formed a new Branch – Strategy and Stakeholder Relations – to help lead this work. A practical, results-based and pragmatic approach to addressing fiscal challenges and offering solutions to issues identified both by the sector and by government will be key to the success of this initiative.  See the "Related Documents" section for more information.

If you have any questions about the MSSP or its intent, please feel free to contact:

Keith Comstock, Executive Director
Strategy and Stakeholder Relations Branch
(306) 787-9641
e-mail: keith.comstock@gov.sk.ca