Kaeding stresses importance of good governance to SARM delegates

Hundreds of delegates from across the province have gathered in Saskatoon this week to network solutions and air their grievances to federal and provincial cabinet ministers.

The annual conference of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is taking place at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon this week. 

During the conference's first full day on Tuesday, reeves and councillors heard from federal Minister of Rural Economic Development Bernadette Jordan and provincial Minister of Government Relations Warren Kaeding.

Kaeding stressed the importance of good governance and communication with rate payers during a speech to the crowd.

"I think there's an expectation by voters to make sure that they're represented the best way that they can be," he said to reporters later

"It's imperative that we're always focusing on good governance and improving governance and ensuring everyone is held up to the responsibilities that have been put on them."

Few RMs investigated

The province is home to 297 rural municipalities and only seven have ever been officially inspected by the provincial government.

Concerns about bullying and harassment in rural municipalities have surfaced in the past year. In 2017, the provincial ombudsman created a conflict of interest checklist for RMs after investigating related incidents.

"Every decision that we make to do something like that, we take it with a lot of reservation," said Kaeding.

When asked if Saskatchewan's RMs have a problem with good governance, Kaeding said they do not.

He said that since issues brought forward tend to be newsworthy they are well-publicized, but that they do not indicate a province-wide issue.

"We've seen some pretty responsible governance and responses," he said.

SARM is offering several training methods for reeves, councillors, and administrators to increase their knowledge of good governance and communication.

"We have to know what we're required to do by the province and we're getting that message across," said Ray Orb, president of SARM.

According to Kaeding, there is only one situation currently under review by a provincial inspector.

"We're actually waiting for that report now," he said.

Orb: bridges and Internet needed

Orb said the federal carbon tax, pipelines bridges and roads are among his chief concerns this year.

Orb also expressed concern about rural internet and said he is pleased the federal government has been talking about improving systems.

"Good internet coverage is really important for sure," he said.

Minister Jordan responded to both these concerns in her speech Tuesday.

She pointed to infrastructure investments made by the federal government, of which a portion will be earmarked for rural municipality upgrades.

Although a plan for rural Internet connection won't be completed until June, she told reporters that it is a top priority.

Carbon tax woes

Orb and many reeves expressed concern about the carbon tax. In October, SARM said it agreed with the provincial government's opposition to the tax and worried it would cause a financial strain on rural areas.

"We hope that the province will win its court case against the federal government," Orb said.

While rural crime has dominated discussion at SARM conventions in recent years, Orb said the situation is improving. He pointed to the introduction of a provincial trespass law that would require people to get permission before going on private land, as well as a new rural crime app.

"I think we're hoping that rural crime is getting under control," he said. "But we still have to be vigilant about that and we have to make sure we work together with the RCMP and conservation officers."

Delegates will be voting on resolutions Tuesday ranging from stray horses to drivers licences for truckers.

Premier Scott Moe is scheduled to address the convention Wednesday.