Northern regional leaders meet via Zoom

Melfort City Hall

The municipal representatives met via Zoom on Dec. 1.

 “Regional meetings are an excellent chance for municipal officials to come together to share successes and discuss challenges that are unique to their particular area of the province. In spite of the irregularities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize the importance of these meetings and wanted to find a safe way to ensure they could still happen,” Municipalities of Saskatchewan President Gordon Barnhart said.

Municipal leaders from the province’s North, Northwest, Northeast, and West Central regions came together from the comfort and safety of their homes for Municipalities of Saskatchewan’s first ever virtual regional meeting.

The municipal representatives met via Zoom on Dec. 1.

 “Regional meetings are an excellent chance for municipal officials to come together to share successes and discuss challenges that are unique to their particular area of the province. In spite of the irregularities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize the importance of these meetings and wanted to find a safe way to ensure they could still happen,” Municipalities of Saskatchewan President Gordon Barnhart said.

The meeting began with representatives from all regions gathering for remarks from the President, updates from Municipalities of Saskatchewan, and an education session delivered by Municipalities of Saskatchewan’s legal advisor Bukola Afolabi.

Officials and delegates then split into their respective regions for region-specific discussions, where topics were as wide and varied as the regions themselves. Traditionally, elections for regional directors and alternate directors on Municipalities of Saskatchewan’s Board of Directors take place at the regional meetings following municipal elections.

In Municipalities of Saskatchewan’s Northeast Region, Melfort Councillor April Phillips was elected Northeast Regional Director and Nipawin Mayor Rennie Harper was elected Regional Alternate.

Phillips replaces Melfort Mayor Glenn George who was not seeking re-election. George had served as regional representative during his time as councillor for Melfort.

In the Northwest Region, incumbent Richard Beck, Councillor for the City of Warman, was acclaimed Northwest Regional Director and Jamie Martens, Councillor for the City of Martensville was acclaimed Regional Alternate.

In accordance with Municipalities of Saskatchewan bylaws, regions must have elected officials representing 10 or more member municipalities in attendance to hold elections. Elections in Municipalities of Saskatchewan’s North and West Central Regions will be postponed until a later date.

Île -à-la-Crosse Councillor Gerald Roy will remain Northern Regional Director until the next Northern Regional Meeting. West Central Regional Alternate Rod Perkins, Mayor of Kindersley, will fill the role of West Central Regional Director until the next regional meeting.

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