Road through wheat fields
by Shelby Piel Shelby Piel

Increased Funding for Rural Road Infrastructure a Boost for Saskatchewan’s Rural Municipalities

Road through wheat fields
rcphoto/123rf

As inflation continues to affect the cost of maintaining infrastructure, the need to address the condition of rural roads in Saskatchewan has become increasingly pressing.

These roads form the backbone of the province’s vast agricultural and industrial economy, enabling the movement of goods, services and people across rural areas. Deterioration of rural transportation infrastructure not only impacts local travel, but has far-reaching and devastating implications for Saskatchewan’s economy.

In response to these challenges, the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) Program Management Board, which is made up of members from both the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) and the Ministry of Highways, has taken significant steps to support rural municipalities (RMs) by increasing funding for rural road maintenance during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, and have introduced several updates to enhance the RIRG program. Municipalities can apply to access RIRG funding through three distinct sub-programs: The Road Construction Program, Bridge and Large Diameter Culvert Construction Program, and the Clearing the Path (CTP) Program. Each of these programs is tailored to address specific infrastructure needs.

The Road Construction Program along with the Bridge and Large Diameter Culvert Program are ways that RMs can access funding to upgrade or replace their current infrastructure. These programs not only improve safety and efficiency for rural residents, but support local industries by facilitating the movement of agricultural and industrial products.

When a road project qualifies and is accepted into the Road Construction Program, the RM can receive up to $500,000 for eligible costs with a 50 per cent assistance rate from RIRG. RMs can choose from several road project types including, earthworks and grading, clay capping, base and subbase, and surface strengthening on any road that is a CTP corridor or has a rural road class of 3, 4,or 5. The Bridge and Large Diameter Culvert Program has undergone some significant and exciting changes. After hearing feedback from members on the significant increases to the cost of building rural bridges, the funding cap for bridge projects has doubled; RMs can now receive up to $1 million with a 50 per cent assistance rate. The next intake for these programs will take place this fall, with approvals scheduled for January 2026.

These programs not only improve safety and efficiency for rural residents, but also support local industries by facilitating the movement of agricultural and industrial products.

The CTP Program provides incremental maintenance funding to assist with the cost of maintaining roads to carry primary weights. The purpose of the program is to connect and move Saskatchewan’s commodities and industry at primary weights, creating a seamless network throughout the province.

The network aims to be dynamic and not permanent so that if economic activity is slowing down in one area and increasing in another, funding may be moved to an area with more economic activity. To be eligible, roads must meet criteria such as, minimum truck traffic counts, proximity to economic generators and a minimum proximity of the roadway to other primary weight roads. If an RM applies for an eligible CTP corridor and agrees to maintain the road to carry primary weights, they can receive funding each year to assist with maintenance costs.

After hearing from SARM members and studying the impact of inflation on maintaining these roads, RIRG has also increased the funding for CTP corridors by $300 per kilometre. RMs can now receive $1,300 per kilometre for a standard corridor and $1,500 per kilometre for a premium CTP corridor annually. Standard corridors have an average daily truck traffic greater than 10 trucks per day, while premium corridors have an average daily truck traffic greater than 35 trucks per day. An RM can apply for a new CTP corridor at any time on SARM’s website, with formal application reviews occurring annually at the start of each calendar year.

In other exciting news, the RIRG program, which is governed by an agreement between SARM and the Ministry of Highways, was recently extended for five years, until March 31, 2029. This extension signals a strong commitment from both the provincial government and SARM to long-term investment in rural infrastructure, and can provide municipalities with the confidence and stability they need to plan and execute infrastructure projects with greater certainty.

We strongly encourage all RMs to take full advantage of these renewed opportunities. The tools are in place, the funding is available and the support is ongoing. For detailed information on program eligibility, application processes and program timelines, municipalities are encouraged to review the RIRG Policy Manual available on SARM’s website (sarm.ca).

by SHCA SHCA

Rural Roads to Have More Than $34.4 Million of Improvements

RIRG | Rural Integrated Roads for Growth

The Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) announced more than $34.4 million for 32 road, bridge and culvert projects, which supports the export of goods and resources originating in rural municipalities.

Through the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program, the Ministry of Highways will invest more than $12.6 million toward the projects and rural municipalities (RMs) will fund the remaining more than $21.7 million. The work will occur in the 2025 construction season.

“These projects will enhance the integration of rural roads and the provincial highway network so that farmers, ranchers, businesses and industries can ship their goods more efficiently,” Highways Minister David Marit said. “This program recognizes rural municipal roads play a valuable role in Saskatchewan’s export-based economy.”

“Perhaps now more than ever, improving our transportation infrastructure in rural areas is needed to bring stability and strength to our economy – not only as a province, but also as a nation,” SARM president Bill Huber said. “Without reliable roads, bridges and culverts, we can’t get goods to market. For this reason, SARM is very pleased to see these RMs receive funding assistance through the RIRG program.” 

The provincially funded RIRG program administered by SARM invests in constructing and upgrading RM road infrastructure. RIRG funding is up to 50 per cent per project to a maximum of $500,000 for a road and to a maximum $1 million for a large culvert or bridge. RMs fund the remaining project costs and are responsible for managing their approved projects.

by SHCA SHCA

Driving Our Roads into the Ground: SARM Calls for More Funding to Aid in Disintegrating Roads and Bridges

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) has called for increased funding for rural roads and bridges. These pieces of infrastructure are not only the lifeline for thousands of municipal residents who travel them daily, they also help drive our rural economy by supporting oil and gas, agriculture, mining and other natural resource sectors. Without further aid, the roads and bridges in rural Saskatchewan will continue to deteriorate with significant economic and social consequences.

SARM

Rural municipalities (RMs) in the province are responsible for 164,000 kilometres of roads, Canada’s largest road network. Roads in the province connect our rural population to urban centres, transport essential supplies, export goods and more. These busy roads require regular upkeep, maintenance and ongoing building and re-building. In addition, RMs are responsible for 1,280 bridge structures. Unfortunately, years of use have led to 60 per cent of rural bridges at or beyond their expected service lifespan and needing replacement to avoid safety hazards or disrupting the transportation of goods.

“The Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program provides funding for RMs to support rural road construction, bridge construction, culvert installation and maintaining eligible roads at primary weights. The RIRG program is funded by the Ministry of Highways, administered by SARM, and right now every RM has a laundry list of roads and bridges that are in serious need of repair or rebuild,” said Bill Huber, acting president of SARM.

The cost of building a bridge per square foot increased by 36 per cent between 2010 and 2020 and another 25 per cent between 2020 and 2022. Road construction costs have also increased, resulting in a sharp rise in project withdrawals, deeply impacting RMs. Funding for the RIRG program has steadily decreased over the years from $25M in 2009-2014 to $15M from 2015-2023. While SARM was pleased to see a modest increase in funding in the 2024/2025 program year (to $17.4M), funding for this essential program continues to lag behind the great infrastructure needs among the RMs.

“Government’s infrastructure spending must keep up with inflation. The civil construction industry needs and has been asking for a long-term, serious commitment to build and maintain our provincial road network. The industry continues to see increased expenses in escalating costs for fuel, materials and labour, while the base spending on infrastructure capital remains relatively unchanged. Inflationary costs reflected in bid pricing that isn’t adequately addressed through realistic infrastructure funding leads to less projects tendered, which creates further financial uncertainty for the industry, it becomes a vicious circle,” said Shantel Lipp, president of the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association.

Financial health oasis in an economic desert
by SHCA SHCA

Saskatchewan Provides $225,000 to Support Rural Economic Development

On Sept. 10, 2024, the province announced a new funding agreement with the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance (SEDA) to support rural investment readiness. The province will provide SEDA with $225,000 to enhance investment readiness in rural Saskatchewan.

“Today’s investment by our government will help ensure that rural communities across the province are ready to attract new investment and benefit from Saskatchewan’s rapidly growing economy,” said Jeremy Harrison, trade and export development minister. “Collaboration between government and organizations like SEDA is an important component of Saskatchewan’s investment attraction strategy to secure the next decade of growth in the province. Supporting rural economic development is one of the many ways we are protecting and promoting Saskatchewan and supporting our strong and vibrant communities.”

The funding will be matched by PrairiesCan for a combined total of $450,000 over two years.

“The world is investing in Saskatchewan to meet the needs of a more sustainable global economic future,” said Dan Vandal, federal minister for PrairiesCan. “This support to SEDA will assist rural regions in Saskatchewan prepare for new investment and new economic opportunities, to build stronger rural communities with good local jobs. Our government recognizes that we cannot have a prosperous Canada without successful, competitive and thriving rural communities.”

The project will help targeted regions and local businesses to prepare for investment and growth. This work will help protect and promote the province to the benefit of all those who work and live in Saskatchewan.

“This project aligns with SEDA’s mandate to support Saskatchewan’s economic development ecosystem,” SEDA CEO Verona Thibault said. “We look forward to engaging with industry and enhancing investment readiness in rural areas of the province over the next two years.”

Saskatchewan is committed to fostering a competitive business environment where all businesses can succeed. The province will continue to build on this now and into the future, creating more jobs and opportunities for the people who call this province home.  

Saskatchewan currently has the lowest rate of inflation, according to the Consumer Price Index, at 1.4 per cent. Exports are experiencing significant growth, totaling over $101.9 billion for 2022 and 2023 combined. This is a 52.2 per cent increase from the previous two-year period of 2020-21, which saw $66.9 billion in total exports. 

Statistics Canada’s latest GDP numbers also indicate that Saskatchewan’s 2023 real GDP reached an all-time high of $77.9 billion, increasing by $1.2 billion, or 1.6 per cent. This places Saskatchewan second in the nation for real GDP growth, and above the national average of 1.2 per cent.

Private capital investment is projected to reach $14.2 billion in 2024, an increase of 14.4 per cent over 2023. This is the highest anticipated percentage increase in Canada.

Earlier this year, the province revealed “Securing the Next Decade of Growth: Saskatchewan’s Investment Attraction Strategy,” in conjunction with the launch of the investSK.ca website. These initiatives are positioned to amplify growth in Saskatchewan, serving as pivotal instruments in driving further development.

by Shantel Lipp Shantel Lipp

We’re Heading Into an Election – Speak Up!

Shantel Lipp - Portrait

Interesting things are happening in Saskatchewan.  

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) joined with the SHCA to raise the volume on our message regarding provincial infrastructure funding. 

SARM has called on the provincial government to increase funding for rural roads and bridges. It said that without urgent attention, there will be significant economic and social consequences for Saskatchewan. 

Background 

Saskatchewan rural municipalities (RMs) are responsible for 164,000 kilometres of roads, Canada’s largest road network and 1280 bridge structures.  

Unfortunately, given the current level of provincial funding that’s dedicated to rural infrastructure, we have not been able to keep up: 

  • 60 per cent of rural bridges are at, or beyond, their expected service lifespan and need to be replaced to avoid safety hazards or a serious disruption in our export of products.
  • Our roads connect our rural population to each other and to urban centres – maintaining this connection is critical. 
  • Our province’s economic generators (mining, agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing, ag tech, etc.) need connection to urban centres and to export markets. Healthy infrastructure is essential for exporting our goods and supporting jobs in the province.  
  • Without further aid, Saskatchewan’s economy will suffer, and we will face serious economic and social consequences. 

As we all know, this isn’t limited to rural infrastructure. Urban infrastructure is also in urgent need of investment.  

Saskatchewan’s Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) has numerous resolutions from its convention calling on more provincial support, especially for its urgent construction projects.  

Government funding is seriously lagging the great infrastructure needs in Saskatchewan. 

Our industry has been asking for a long-term, serious commitment to building and maintaining our provincial infrastructure, and our municipalities are saying that the situation is reaching near-crisis levels. 

Government Funding Ignores Inflation 

SARM points out that funding for the rural road program decreased from $25M in 2009-2014 to $15M from 2015-2023. While there was a modest increase in funding in the 2024/2025 program year (to $17.4M), this funding does not consider one of our members biggest problems – inflation. 

As it relates to rural infrastructure: 

  • The cost of building a bridge per square foot increased by 36 per cent between 2010 and 2020 and another 25 per cent between 2020 and 2022. 
  • Road construction costs also increased. Many members report stark increases in their costs (fuel, materials, labour, etc.). This has resulted in our members withdrawing from bidding on some municipal projects because government funding doesn’t support the actual costs of the project. 

Inflationary costs that our members reflect in their bid pricing isn’t adequately addressed in the funding that government provides to rural and urban municipalities.  

This leads to fewer projects being tendered and creates great uncertainty for our members as they can’t plan, and adequately provide for, projects in the future. 

The larger implications are that Saskatchewan people, who are working hard to produce fuel, fertilizer and food, are deeply concerned about how we will move our goods to the world markets.  

They are also concerned about their critical connections to urban centres. 

An Election Request 

So, I am asking that during this provincial election, if you come face-to-face with a candidate who is running to become a member of legislative assembly, please take the time to ask them for their help in giving our province’s infrastructure the attention it needs. 

Remind candidates that it is not only possible, but imperative, to build and support all the infrastructure required to help Saskatchewan remain competitive on the world stage.  

Tell them if we don’t keep up, our province’s growth plan and future prosperity is at risk. 

We need to look for government leaders who have the vision to build modern infrastructure that connects supply chains, moves goods, supports job creation and ensures our economy will continue to grow.  

We also need government leaders who will preserve and enhance the quality of life we enjoy in Saskatchewan that often requires connectivity between rural and urban Saskatchewan. 

During this campaign, we are hearing all politicians, regardless of their political stripe, painting a picture of how their leadership will improve our quality of life.  

But that requires infrastructure investment – please take the time to remind them of this.

Blur image of traffic jam in the city
by SHCA SHCA

55 New Projects Receive Funding Through Provincial Traffic Safety Fund

Blur image of traffic jam in the city

Grants totalling more than $1.3 million have been awarded to 55 projects that will improve traffic safety in 49 communities across Saskatchewan.

The grants are coming from the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund, helping to fund projects that focus on different aspects of traffic and pedestrian safety, including:

  • Installation of artwork by youth on Cote First Nation as an effort to prevent impaired driving;
  • Addition of speed display signs, speed bumps and signage to improve traffic safety around intersections in Arcola; and
  • Installation of pedestrian crossing signs in Moose Jaw to improve safety for vulnerable road users.

“I am thrilled to see communities benefit from the Traffic Safety Fund with projects that will make Saskatchewan streets safer,” Minister responsible for SGI Dustin Duncan said. “I would like to thank those who submitted applications and encourage all municipalities to consider applying for traffic safety projects in their communities.”

Provincial Traffic Safety Fund grants range from $1,148 to $100,000. The maximum amount of funding municipalities and Indigenous lands or territories can apply for is $100,000. Provincial Traffic Safety Fund grants are awarded to communities twice a year, using proceeds from Photo Speed Enforcement. With this latest round of grants, $11.5 million has been provided through the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund since its establishment in 2019.

Applications are currently being accepted for the next round of funding. The application deadline is Sept. 30, 2024. Eligible traffic safety initiatives must focus on one of the following priority areas: speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving, vulnerable road users, medically-at-risk drivers, occupant protection and intersection safety. 

Applications are reviewed by a committee made up of representatives from the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, the Prince Albert Grand Council, the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Highways and SGI.