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POP: Notification of Municipal Election

POP: Yes
Res #: POP 3-11M
Number: 3
Year: 2011
Midterm: Yes
Expired: Yes
Responses Received: No
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Municipal Affairs

WHEREAS recent changes to The Local Government Elections Act now require RMs to give notice that an election is not required by publishing a notice within 10 days after the close of the nomination period in a newspaper having widespread circulation in the rural municipality; and

WHEREAS this requirement creates an unnecessary cost and logistical challenge;

 

BE IT RESOLVED that The Local Government Elections Act be amended to remove the requirement for RMs to advertise when an election is not required.

Response from Honourable Darryl Hickie, Minister of Municipal Affairs: 

The amendment to require notification that an election is not required was made to ensure communication with voters concerning the election process in rural municipalities so they were aware whether an election will occur. Relying only on a notice of poll if an election is to be held was not considered to be sufficient in this regard.

The amendment provides consistency with the provisions for urban and northern municipalities. Municipal Affairs will canvass the municipal sector following the 2012 election to see how the new legislated provisions are working.

Changes to the provision may be considered when other amendments to the Act are being made in the future. It may be that other means of communicating with ratepayers, such as on a municipality's website, could provide an alternative.