Government relations minister hints at ‘Moe’ money for Sask. municipalities

Could there be “Moe” money on the way for Saskatchewan municipalities?

That’s what Government Relations Minister Don McMorris hinted at during the 118th annual Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention opening ceremonies in Saskatoon on Tuesday.

“You’re going to hear more about that and maybe even kind of release a pre-budget announcement as to a record amount — that’s all I’ll say — is a record amount of municipal revenue sharing,” McMorris said.

Premier Scott Moe is scheduled to make an address at the convention Wednesday morning.

SARM president Ray Orb, who will serve another two years in his position, also made an address to the crowd of hundreds, calling for the need for reliable broadband access throughout the province, and reliable and affordable policing.

“SARM has been meeting with both the RCMP and the provincial government to discuss how to best fill the gaps in the current policing system,” he said, adding the organization also met with Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell to learn more about the new marshals service and whether that was an effective way to fill that gap.

“This is not the time to be spending on policing resources that duplicate efforts when so much of rural Saskatchewan is already under-served,” he added.

Orb also called for rural municipalities to have the autonomy to set their own taxation rates as they see fit to keep up with the stresses placed on their own infrastructure.

“Our concerns remain unaddressed, which means this remains a top priority,” added Orb.

As well, Orb called for better and reliable health care, and fewer “burdensome” federal government regulations, including the Bill C-21 firearms amendment.

“It is unacceptable that the federal government is planning on spending billions of dollars to criminalize and take away firearms from law-abiding, licensed citizens,” he said. “These dollars could be better utilized by municipalities across this province and throughout Canada to fight rising rural crime rates.”

The SARM convention continues until Thursday.