Northern mayors have been in Regina this week pushing for the interests of northern Saskatchewan at the annual SUMA convention.
While the Board Chair of the organization New North says each municipality has their own interests much of the conversation from northerners this week has been about revenue sharing and surplus carry-overs.
New North is an organization that represents several northern municipalities.
“It has been a very good conference,” said New North Board Chair and Creighton Mayor Bruce Fiddler. “We had opportunities to meet with different ministers, so I think it has went very well.”
Earlier in the week Premier Scott Moe indicated the province would be looking at possible changes to the formula on revenue sharing. Fiddler says he isn’t concerned about changes, but wants to make sure northerners are a part of the discussion.
“We want to be at the table during any negotiations, to have our input, to make sure the northern communities get their fair share,” said Fiddler.
The Creighton mayor says this was the main point of conversation when New North met with the Government Relations Minister earlier in the week.
In addition to revenue sharing Fiddler says they have been pushing the province to allow surplus carry-over from Northern Capital Grants. The grants are given to municipalities to use for infrastructure projects in the community. Fiddler wants the government to allow municipalities to carry-over any unused funds from these grants year to year.
“It just seems fair and common sense that these funds would be rolled into the next pot,” he said.
The 2018 SUMA convention wrapped up Wednesday morning.
(PHOTO: the 2018 SUMA convention. Photo courtesy Twitter @SUMA_amplify)