WEYBURN – SARM is holding its Midterm Convention on November 16 and 17 at TCU Place in Saskatoon. The Midterm Convention focuses on education and offers delegates multiple sessions and learning opportunities.
The convention begins at 9 a.m. on Nov. 16, with the opening ceremonies and the SARM President’s address.
Numerous educational sessions are being offered throughout the two days, as well as a session where SARM members can debate and vote on resolutions.
A number of resolutions came from southeast-area RMs, including from a group of RMs that include Lake Alma, Lomond, The Gap and Laurier among others.
The resolutions this group have brought forward include one asking SARM to lobby the federal Oceans and Fisheries department to allow RMs to have streams and creeks with no fish population not be subject to the requirements for fish-bearing streams when working on projects. These requirements add a lot of cost and time delays to the projects.
The group is also asking the province to expand the number of seats for post-secondary education for the health care sector, such as for paramedics, LPNs and programs where LPNs can qualify to be a registered nurse.
A resolution from the RM of Laurier is in regard to orphaned oil wells, and asks for the department of Energy and Resources to notify municipalities when a well is designated as an orphan well, and to assist municipalities in the case of unpaid tax bills. A suggestion was made that the contingency fund used for cleaning up abandoned wells also be used to cover unpaid tax bills.
The RM of Weyburn had two resolutions, one in regard to the large moose population in the region, and the other for the large mule deer population. The resolutions ask that more hunting tags be made available as these animals are causing damages to crops and pose a danger to area motorists.
The RM of Norton submitted a resolution to allow RMs to go after producers who clean out grain trucks on RM roads, spreading weed seeds and attracting wildlife that come to eat the seeds, posing a danger to motorists.
The group of RMs have a resolution to lobby the federal government to reconsider their upcoming restrictions on fertilizer emissions, which will do great harm to area farmers by forcing them to reduce production with less use of fertilizer.
The RM of Francis has a resolution regarding the Stray Animal Act, and note that RMs are not allowed to make a bylaw to deal with stray animals in their municipality. The RM wants a more efficient way to deal with stray animals and their owners.
