Saskatchewan's rural municipalities are trading convention halls for computer screens.
The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities will hold its annual convention virtually on Tuesday and Wednesday. Marking roughly a year since the group last met during the onset of the pandemic, SARM president Ray Orb charted some of the key issues at play during the convention.
'Shabby' vaccine rollout needs more communication
Vaccines will likely take centre stage during the convention's signature bear pit session between rural leaders and provincial ministers, Orb said.
Calling the federal rollout "shabby," he said he wants improved vaccine communication in rural areas, ensuring no elderly residents or high-risk groups fall through the cracks.
"We want to make sure everyone who lives out in rural areas knows about the vaccine."
Building bridges
RM of Porcupine Reeve Steve Kwiatkowski is shaking his head over bridge repairs.
When his RM was chosen for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to replace a local bridge, it wasn't prepared to be bogged down while seeking federal approval, he said. Despite meeting provincial requirements, the delays mean his community has to wait until next winter to fix the bridge, he said.
That's a problem he doesn't want to see repeated in other RMs, Kwiatkowski added.
His RM's resolution calls for the program's approval criteria to fall solely under the jurisdiction of the province and SARM. It also aims to secure more infrastructure money for rural communities.
Some larger municipalities "are getting funding for bike paths, but we can't get funding for bridges," Orb said. He noted there's roughly 1,400 bridges in rural Saskatchewan, but it can be difficult for RMs to find funding to maintain them.
"That's something we're not happy about."
Broadband lag persists
The pandemic forced much of rural business online, shedding more light on poor internet connections, Orb said.
A lack of reliable internet has also been a snag for farmers and rural businesses over the past year, making it more difficult to do business, he said. Whether it's wireless or fibre optic connections, fast internet is a necessity.
That's why he wants to push for more federal broadband funding to be directed to rural Saskatchewan.
"The money is there. We just need to bring some of that money home to Saskatchewan," he said.
SUMA rebrand is a continuing concern
The RM of South Qu’Appelle is introducing a resolution that asks the provincial government to reverse the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association's rebrand to Municipalities of Saskatchewan (MoS).
The resolution says the name change wasn't done in consultation with SARM and is cause for confusion. RM Reeve Wendy Collinge said she hopes the resolution will put more weight behind SARM's concerns.
Orb said he's asked newly elected MoS president Rodger Hayward to stop using the name until consultation is complete. Government Relations Minister Don McMorris also asked the group to reconsider its rebranding during its own convention last month.
"The name change isn't something we thought we'd have to deal with in a time like this, especially during this COVID-19 crisis," Orb said.
