As the new Minister of Municipal Affairs, Culture and Housing, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the government’s position on the future of local governments, specifically municipalities.
I want to assure your readers that the province has no “master plan.” There will be no forced amalgamation. The provincial government is committed to do all it can to make sure that citizens, and their municipalities, are able to chart their own course.
Communities, not governments, will decide the future of municipal governance. This is my commitment to the citizens of Saskatchewan.
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We have built a good partnership with municipal leaders. We are working with them to bring about change that is good for municipalities, good for the province and good for the people of Saskatchewan.
Over the past few months, the government has been meeting with the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, and working together to better serve the public’s needs. Discussions have centreed around developing a consensus on the future of municipal governments.
As a result of these meetings, the government has committed to removing the roadblocks in legislation that exist for municipalities who wish to look at voluntary restructuring.
Municipal leaders will be talking with residents of their communities to get input as to the shape of local governments that will meet their needs. ….
– Jack Hillson, Minister,
Municipal Affairs,
Culture and Housing,
Regina, Sask.
