Point of Privilege Resolution No. 4-05A

WHEREAS, Saskatchewan Environment is requiring rural municipalities to obtain permits for development on municipal lands; and

WHEREAS, in many cases the municipalities have to hire high cost consultants to check out environmental concerns on this land; and

WHEREAS, in many cases the municipalities have to incur much higher construction or development costs; and

WHEREAS, municipalities with their small tax base are having to absorb the extra cost of these studies and development costs; and WHEREAS, the resulting benefits, if found, are a benefit for all people of Saskatchewan and Canada;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that SARM lobby the provincial government to absorb these extra costs.

Response from Honourable David Forbes, Minister of Environment:

Saskatchewan Environment encourages continual improvement of solid waste management in the province and is working with all stakeholders to develop a province-wide Solid Waste Management Strategy for 2006-2007. Saskatchewan Environment acknowledges that the initial cost to design, construct and operate a landfill is expensive. Many municipalities hire consultants to assist them in the proper siting, design, construction and development of operating practices for waste disposal grounds to ensure current design and operating requirements are met.

These elements are important to ensure that impacts to the environment are minimized and will reduce the overall cost in the long-term. Since 1992, the province and municipalities have invested $8 million (approximately $4 million each) in regional waste management. Regional waste systems provided a cost effective option for municipalities versus constructing and operating individual landfills. At this time, no additional funding is available for the development of new regional landfills, however the department continues to promote the development of sustainable regional waste management systems and encourages municipalities to work together to provide waste management services to their communities. The management of solid waste continues to be a priority for the provincial government and is an important component of the Green Agenda.