PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL LEADERS ESTABLISH FORUM TO RESOLVE ISSUES

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) and the Government of Saskatchewan have agreed to evolve the existing Municipal Provincial Roundtable into a planning and decision-making forum on matters of importance to the province's municipalities.

The partners in this forum, SUMA, SARM and the province, will jointly develop a protocol to guide how the working relationship will be conducted and develop and approve a set of priorities for discussion, review and decision-making.

"I believe we need a results-based approach to address and co-ordinate key municipal issues," Government Relations Minister Len Taylor said. "Changing and enhancing the way we do business together will make a positive contribution to the economic growth of the province."

"SUMA embraces this new collaborative approach to solving some of these longstanding issues," SUMA's Cities Vice-President Phil DeVos said. "We continue to be impressed with Minister Taylor's eagerness to work together with us and are looking forward to the new municipal forum process."

"SARM looks forward to participating in the Municipal Forum under the new minister. The open, frank discussion of the issues we all face will lead to solutions that build a stronger and more prosperous Saskatchewan," SARM President Neal Hardy said.

The forum will meet quarterly. It will develop a Protocol and will set priorities for its work – priority issues of greatest importance to the Saskatchewan municipalities.

The Forum will review proposed legislation and consider joint municipal/provincial approaches to a wide variety of issues such as:

- Revenue-sharing and new revenue sources
- Challenges facing large and small municipalities
- Effective economic development

The provincial government is represented at the Forum by Government Relations Minister Len Taylor and other ministers who will attend as issues in their portfolio arise.

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For More Information, Contact:

Maureen Boyle Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs Regina Phone: (306)787-5900	Andrew Rathwell Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association Regina Phone: (306)535-0066
Ken Engel Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities Regina Phone: (306)757-3578