The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) welcomes a closer federal-municipal relationship as discussed at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) annual conference.
Officials from across the country, including representatives from Saskatchewan, heard from leaders of four national political parties during the annual event. Each leader recognized the crucial role municipalities have and the importance of a direct relationship between the federal government and municipalities. Federal Minister Bernadette Jordan, minister of rural economic development, also recognized the importance of working directly with municipalities as partners. SUMA values these sentiments as Saskatchewan hometowns vie for a share of cannabis excise tax revenues from the province to cover the costs of cannabis legalization.
“A direct federal-municipal relationship is crucial to improving the lives of residents in our communities,” said SUMA President Gordon Barnhart. “Municipalities are already embracing the opportunities afforded by the additional $2.2 billion in Federal Gas Tax funding announced in the 2019-20 federal budget.”
The mayors representing Canada’s largest cities at FCM’s Big City Mayors’ Caucus echoed the need for a closer federal-municipal relationship.
Saskatoon city councillor and SUMA Director Darren Hill will be helping foster that relationship as FCM’s Third Vice-President. Hill was elected to the position during the FCM Annual General Meeting. Yorkton Councillor and SUMA Director Randy Goulden, and Warman Mayor Sheryl Spence, were acclaimed in their re-election to the FCM Board of Directors. SUMA congratulates all of the Saskatchewan representatives.
“Having Saskatchewan representation on the FCM Board of Directors is beneficial to all of our hometowns,” said President Barnhart. “Our representatives ensure the Saskatchewan voice is heard nationally.”
President Barnhart will continue to represent SUMA on the FCM Board of Directors
