Legislative Report
March 16, 2023

Municipal Revenue Sharing Reaches Record $297 Million

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) held its annual convention March 14-16. Premier Scott Moe and the Government of Saskatchewan Cabinet Ministers, along with several of our government’s Members of the Legislative Assembly, were present at the convention to answer questions and make announcements about support for rural municipalities. Our government values its partnerships with SARM and rural communities and is investing in several programs and initiatives to support their growth.

At the SARM convention, Premier Scott Moe announced the Municipal Revenue Sharing Program will reach a record $297 million in the 2023-24 provincial budget. This represents a 13 per cent increase over last year’s budget and a 134 per cent increase since 2007-08. Our province’s nation-leading Municipal Revenue Sharing program benefits Saskatchewan’s municipalities by supporting local priorities.

Increase to Rural Physician Incentive Program

To improve rural healthcare, Premier Moe also announced the Rural Physician Incentive Program has been increased to $200,000 for a five-year return of service agreement. Eligibility is also expanding beyond new graduates and will now include physicians practicing in rural and northern communities who have been assessed through the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA). This incentive program will help to ensure Saskatchewan patients can access healthcare closer to home and support medical professionals who want to build successful careers in one of our province’s rural communities.

Centralized Online Learning Option for K-12 Students

To improve access to education, the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Corporation (SDLC) will offer free centralized online learning to any Saskatchewan student who chooses to study online. The SDLC will offer 180 online courses for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students beginning in the 2023-24 school year. SDLC has chosen ten communities to be regional campuses for online students to connect and receive instruction from local teachers in addition to connecting virtually. This program will give students new opportunities for flexible learning, regardless of where in the province they live, while ensuring consistent, quality education.

Increased Funding for Policing

To protect the safety of residents, especially in rural areas, we are investing in police services. In addition to expansions of the Crime Reduction Team (CRT) and Warrant Enforcement Suppression Team (WEST), our government has introduced the new Saskatchewan Marshalls Service (SMS). The SMS will consist of approximately 70 officers who will provide additional law enforcement presence across the province, conduct proactive investigations and support RCMP and municipal police operations. These initiatives represent over $23 million in increased funding to enhance and expand law enforcement across our province.

Supporting Agriculture

For our agricultural producers, this year’s Saskatchewan Crop Insurance program is stronger than ever, with this year’s average coverage reaching a record $446 per acre. Enhancements to this year’s program include new individual premiums, increased coverage for unseeded acres and increased AgriStability coverage. The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) is there for producers when they need it, mitigating risk with its full suite of programs. In addition to Crop Insurance and AgriStability, SCIC offers Livestock Price Insurance and the Wildlife Damage and Prevention Program. March 31 is the deadline to apply, reinstate, cancel or make changes to Crop Insurance contracts. You can learn more at www.SCIC.ca.

To build awareness and support for the agriculture industry, March is Agriculture Literacy Month in Saskatchewan. Throughout the month, industry volunteers from all levels of food production will join classrooms to share presentations and personal experiences to help students learn more about agriculture. Connecting our youth to agriculture is an important part of growing the sector.

Also this month, March 12-18 is Agricultural Safety Week in Saskatchewan. With long days during busy seasons like calving, seeding and harvest, Agriculture Safety Week is a reminder that the business of farming is dependent upon healthy people who prioritize safety year-round. Learning to spot hazards on the farm can prevent serious injuries and fatalities. More information about farm safety and the Farm Safety Guide is available at www.Saskatchewan.ca/farmsafety.

Saskatchewan’s rural communities are so important to the province’s growth and our government is committed to supporting them. Our government values its relationship with SARM and looks forward to continued growth in rural areas across the province.