Saskatchewan urban centres had the opportunity to learn and discuss Saskatchewan wide issues during the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention in Regina on Feb. 4-7.
And Humboldt was well represented with all six councillors and Mayor Rob Muench in attendance.
The councillors and Muench presented their highlights during the Feb. 26 city council meeting.
Also in attendance in Regina were delegates from all across Saskatchewan, ministers from the provincial government were also in attendance for the Dialogue with Ministers section on Feb. 7.
This included ministers from five different departments, including government relations, environment, highways and infrastructure, justice, and health/rural and remote health ministers.
Muench spoke with the Minister of Highways during this time saying that he is still asking questions regarding Hwy 5. While he did thank the minister for the work that has been done on the Hwy 5 passing lanes, he also asked when phase two of the passing lane project is going to come into effect.
The minister said that it is “in the hopper,” says Muench.
“He didn’t give me any progress updates but talking with some of the other mayors in the surrounding district; Bruno, in particular and some of the others, what we want to do is get him to come out here again in the next little while.”
While the minister noted that it is a big project, Muench says they need to keep putting pressure on the ministry to keep the project going.
Even with key ministers in attendance and speeches made by the Premier and the leader of the opposition, very little was said about what urban municipalities can expect as the provincial budget release draws closer, says Muench.
With the City of Humboldt budget in the books for 2018, Muench says that they hope there are no more surprises like last year’s budget release from the provincial government.
Cannabis was an issue across many municipalities with councillor Sandy Weyland concerned about how many departments cannabis will impact: from justice to healthcare.
“Everything, almost no matter where you were (within the convention) there was discussion regarding this impending legislation....a lot of concern about the sharing of the revenue and making sure we’ll get our fair share.”
There is still a long way to go for many municipalities, says councillor Lorne Pratchler.
“A lot of municipalities are not ready and they don’t know how to get ready. By the time this works it way closer to July, we’re going to be dealing with some last minute decisions here in the City of Humboldt and how we’re going to address it.”
One concern that is being discussed at this point is the legal age for cannabis. With all the discussion between the federal and provincial governments, the municipalities will have to wait to hear what the age is going to be in Saskatchewan.
Weyland also had some concerns regarding the premiers address which he mentioned renegotiating the revenue sharing between the province and municipalities coming in 2020/2021.
Councillor Owen Hopfner attended the solid waste workshop with the Ministry for the Environment and changes are coming this March regarding waste policy. Current standards for solid waste have been in place since 1986, says Hopfner, so the department is planning to draft new regulations by the end of March and they are looking for public input.
