SARM is concerned with the implications of the federal government creating a Canada Water Agency (CWA) and how that may affect the jurisdiction of the province of Saskatchewan and rural municipalities.
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SARM has several questions about the focus of the CWA and the overlap that federal regulations may have on provincial regulations and therefore opposes the creation of a CWA.
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SARM has been informed that the CWA is considering establishing its offices in the City of Regina which we recognize is an economic benefit for the City and surrounding area; however, because we oppose its creation, we will not support a bid for a head office of an agency we are not in favour of.
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Municipal infrastructure repair and replacement is critical to the safety and well-being of the public and industry using that infrastructure; it is imperative that such projects be completed in a timely and cost-effective manner. An increased level of bureaucracy will only increase the costs and length of approval processes for municipal construction and maintenance projects involving water or near water.听
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鈥淭he province of Saskatchewan has water management governance through the Water Security Agency (WSA),鈥澨齭tated SARM President Ray Orb.听听鈥淲e believe that the federal funding earmarked for the CWA would be better invested into existing provincial water agencies like the WSA to support and enhance their efforts.鈥�
