NEW LEGISLATION FOR MUNICIPALITIES

Government Relations Minister Len Taylor today introduced new legislation for rural and smaller urban municipalities. The Municipalities Act continues government's efforts to renew municipal legislation that began with The Cities Act and introduces a number of new concepts and principles for rural and smaller urban municipalities.

"This new Act is the result of collaboration and co-operation among the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, the administrators' associations and government," Taylor said. "The dedicated work of these groups has resulted in a new Act that not only establishes a standard set of authorities for both urban and rural municipalities but also accommodates traditional differences between them."

The consolidation initiative involved a thorough review and analysis of provisions in The Urban Municipality Act, 1984 and The Rural Municipality Act, 1989 by the Consolidated Act Working Committee composed of officials from Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities and Government Relations. This review ensured that traditional differences and unique needs of different municipalities – whether urban or rural – were accommodated in the new Act.

Whenever possible and practical, the new Act applies equally to both urban and rural municipalities. For example, road maintenance agreements and the issuing of overweight permits for heavy haul traffic previously applied only to RMs. Business improvement districts previously applied only to urban municipalities. The new legislation now makes those provisions applicable to both. In keeping with the increased flexibility that The Municipalities Act provides for local councils, the provisions respecting public accountability have also been reviewed and augmented in a number of areas including new requirements for a public notice policy.

Traditional differences between urban and rural municipalities have also been accommodated and continued in the new Act. This includes provisions regarding election procedures, wards and divisions, and property tax exemptions.

It is anticipated the new legislation will take effect January 1st, 2006.

The Cities Act and The Northern Municipalities Act are unaffected by the new legislation.

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For More Information, Contact:

Maureen Boyle Government Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-5959