After returning from the 112th annual SUMA convention, Canora Mayor Gina Rakochy said the event was a learning experience on all levels.
“It helped solidify us as a council,” Rakochy said last week as she discussed the convention and the Canora delegates’ participation in it.
All members of council, excepting Councillor Brent Pelechaty attended the convention of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association which was held at Saskatoon February 5 to 8.
She said that although she and the other Canora delegates were “a bit disappointed” to discover that because of a provincial byelection some of the information and trade show booths had to be cancelled, it was still a positive experience.
“When I was first on council, we used to delegate the mayor and two councillors to attend the convention, now because of the valuable training sessions, we encourage whichever councillors can go to do so,” Rakochy said, adding that upon their return they share whatever information they receive with department heads and the rest of council.
Rakochy said she enjoyed a session dealing with the unlocking of new revenue sources which included working with businesses and looking for revenues. That was very valuable, she said. Others had gone to sessions dealing with how to manage assets and how to prioritize long-term infrastructure management.
“We had wanted to attend a session dealing with solid waste management which looked at the viability of landfills and municipal partnerships, but that had been cancelled, she said.
There was nothing new in the message from the premier, she said. Nothing was glossed over by the premier, who said everything was on the table, and nothing new for the municipalities.
“But, we’re used to that. We know we have to get more creative,” she said, adding that council has agreed to look at regional partnerships and at budget time needs to be mindful of “why we’re here; the small-town life, and how to keep it viable.
“We realize that ultimately, there’s only one taxpayer and council will look at the broader picture as we go into budget.”
She said that now the plan is to call umbrella committees together to discuss all the wish lists and expose them to reality.
Overall, the convention experience was very productive, she said. We shared information, attended sessions, and the new members of council realized that there is a process and there is a value in keeping a Plan B.
Regarding the resolutions, Rakochy said that one calling for straddled elections so that not everyone is up for election at the same time had been very close, but did not pass.
She said that the Canora delegation understands that there has to be good documentation so that if there is a complete change in council, government can continue.
During the bear pit session, both Rakochy and Councillor Eric Sweeney had raised the issue of the poor condition of highways No. 9 and No. 5 with the minister of highways who acknowledged their concerns and said he would get back to them.
“We also spoke to our MLA about these highways,” she said.
More than 1,000 delegates from towns, villages, cities, and northern municipalities across Saskatchewan attended the convention which passed eight policy resolutions, including ones on fair taxation on provincial park residences, carbon pricing, and water quality assurance.
The President’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony celebrated 14 long-serving municipal employees, seven long-serving council members, and former SUMA board member, Fred Clipsham.
The full provincial cabinet attended the bear pit session, said a release from SUMA.
“I look forward to working with our new board on behalf of Saskatchewan’s hometowns over the next four years,” said newly-elected President Barnhart. “This is a group of passionate and dedicated elected officials who will work hard to make progress on the issues affecting Saskatchewan’s cities, towns, villages, and northern municipalities.”
SUMA thanked all the delegates for their attendance, and said it looks forward to building on the momentum of another exciting convention.
