Earlier this week Premier Scott Moe announced that the Saskatchewan Government is making changes to the Municipal Revenue Sharing program. In the 2019-20 fiscal year the program will see an increase of more than $10 million. The amount represents a four percent increase for the program.

“I think it shows a number of things,” The Honourable Jim Reiter was in Saskatoon for the announcement. “It shows how important the municipal sector is, it shows how important it is to driving the economy.”

The changes to the sharing formula was generated through a number of consultations with the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities. SARM President Ray Orb was appreciative of having input through the process.

“We appreciate the opportunity to provide input. Having a predictable funding on an annual basis benefits our members when it comes to planning for the future."

The funding program will see $1.5 million used by municipal partners to invest in programs that support good governance, capacity building, and regional planning.

“It makes sense to cultivate potential innovative ideas that can help,” Says Government Relations Minister Warren Kaeding. “Ideas that can help improve services at the local level that are so important to everyone's quality of life.”

More details of the program will be available when the provincial budget is release later this spring.